Kenya has stepped up Ebola screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale urging travellers and the public to remain calm, vigilant and truthful as authorities work to prevent further transmission.
Duale said Gate 16 at JKIA has been designated for enhanced screening of passengers arriving from countries affected by Ebola, with travellers from the epicentre subjected to additional public health checks.
The government has also directed passengers arriving from countries bordering areas affected by Ebola transmission to accurately complete health declaration forms on arrival. Duale warned that providing false information is an offence and urged travellers to disclose their health status truthfully.
The measures follow confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease. The patient, a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years, travelled from the DRC through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on Jambojet flight 8523 on October 3.
The patient was later taken to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated after developing symptoms associated with Ebola. A sample was collected after doctors considered his symptoms and travel history, and he tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola.
The patient died on October 5 while receiving supportive treatment.
Duale said the patient had not declared that he was ill when travelling, making truthful health declarations an important part of the government’s efforts to detect suspected cases at points of entry.
The Health CS has urged Kenyans to practise strict hand hygiene, avoid close contact with people showing symptoms of illness and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms. Members of the public have also been asked to report suspected cases to health facilities.
Kenya has maintained heightened surveillance at airports and land border crossings as authorities respond to the imported case. The Ministry of Health says 652,584 travellers had been screened and 267 samples tested by October 6, with one returning positive.
Authorities have identified 28 contacts linked to the deceased patient, including family members and healthcare workers. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.
Duale has maintained that Kenya is dealing with an imported Ebola incident and urged Kenyans to remain vigilant without panicking as contact tracing, surveillance and other response measures continue.
