By Cantona Joseph June 25, 2026 02:20 (EAT)

https://zeno.fm/radio/radio-fortune-africa

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The ministry urged Kenyans to remain calm while observing preventive measures

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Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured Kenyans that the country remains free of Ebola even as the government intensifies preparedness measures following ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Duale said Kenya had not recorded any confirmed Ebola case but remained at high risk of receiving an imported infection due to its position as a major regional transport and travel hub.

The CS said the Ministry of Health had activated emergency preparedness systems to prevent, detect and respond swiftly to any potential case entering the country.

“First and foremost, I wish to assure all Kenyans that Kenya has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola virus disease,” Duale said.

He noted that lessons from previous outbreaks across Africa had demonstrated the importance of early preparedness in protecting lives, preserving health systems and minimising economic disruption.

According to the ministry, the Kenya National Public Health Institute activated the national Ebola Incident Management System on May 20, 2026, and has since scaled up preparedness activities across the country.

The measures include enhanced screening of travellers arriving from affected countries through airports and land border points, strengthened surveillance and rapid response systems in counties, expansion of laboratory testing capacity, identification of isolation and treatment facilities, training of healthcare workers and stockpiling of personal protective equipment.

The ministry also said public awareness and risk communication campaigns had been intensified to keep citizens informed about the disease and preventive measures.

Duale revealed that more than 140,000 travellers arriving from affected areas had already been screened.

“As of today, Kenya has screened more than 140,000 travellers arriving from affected areas and investigated over 100 alerts, all of which have tested negative for Ebola,” he said.

The CS also addressed concerns raised by members of the public regarding the establishment of quarantine and isolation facilities, saying their existence should not be interpreted to mean that Kenya has detected Ebola cases.

He explained that isolation and quarantine centres are standard public health preparedness measures designed to contain suspected infections quickly and prevent transmission if a case is detected.

“Just as a country prepares fire engines before a fire occurs, public health authorities must prepare isolation and quarantine facilities before an outbreak occurs,” Duale said.

He added that preparedness remains less costly than responding to a widespread outbreak, noting that previous Ebola epidemics in Africa resulted in significant economic losses through disruptions to travel, trade, tourism and investment.

The ministry urged Kenyans to remain calm while observing preventive measures, including regular handwashing with soap and clean water, use of alcohol-based sanitisers and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, particularly those with a history of travel to affected countries.

Members of the public were also advised to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas, refrain from handling sick or dead wild animals and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, especially after recent travel.

Symptoms highlighted by the ministry include fever, severe headache, sore throat, extreme tiredness, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.

Duale further urged Kenyans to obtain information only through official Ministry of Health communication channels as authorities continue monitoring the regional situation.