NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has asked Saudi Arabia to review and lift restrictions imposed over the Ebola outbreak, arguing that the measures are disproportionate and not supported by the country’s current public health situation.
In a diplomatic note dated Friday, October 30, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said Kenya respected Saudi Arabia’s right to protect its citizens but objected to the decision to suspend travel to Kenya, halt visa issuance to travellers from the country and bar entry to people who had been in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days.
Saudi Arabia announced the measures on October 30, saying they were based on an assessment by its health authorities.
They also apply to travellers entering through third countries if they had stayed in Kenya during the 21 days before arrival.
Kenya told Saudi Arabia that all nine confirmed cases were linked to a single cluster originating from an imported case, and that there was no community transmission.
The ministry said seven patients were responding to treatment and were expected to be discharged on November 3. It added that 135 contacts had been traced and monitored, with further releases from quarantine expected if they remained well.
The ministry also said no new case had been reported since October 19.
The World Health Organization’s October 23 update similarly reported nine cases in Kenya, all linked to the imported case, and said there was no evidence of wider community transmission.
WHO advised against travel or trade restrictions on affected countries.
Kenya raises concerns over impact
The diplomatic note warned that the restrictions could affect Kenyan pilgrims, workers in Saudi Arabia, students, trade and tourism.
Kenya said it had reported the outbreak to the WHO within 24 hours and argued that broad restrictions could penalise the country for being transparent.
Nairobi asked Saudi Arabia’s National Focal Point to provide the WHO with reasons for measures that significantly interfere with international traffic, as required under Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005).
The note also requested that the measures be reviewed within three months.
Kenya said it was ready to provide Saudi Arabia with a detailed technical briefing.
It also said it would work with other affected countries to raise concerns with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention if the restrictions were not supported by scientific evidence.
Saudi Arabia has not, in the announcement reviewed, stated whether it will reconsider the measures.
