Five isolation centres designated as Gov’t steps up Ebola preparedness

The Ministry of Health has stepped up Ebola preparedness, designating five health facilities as isolation centres for suspected cases.

The ministry says the country remains on high alert and is ready to respond should more cases of the deadly virus emerge, even as 10 people are in quarantine facilities while contact tracing has led to 57 contacts.

As part of the precautionary measures, the government has also intensified screening and testing of travellers entering the country through border crossings and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

On Wednesday at the Nairobi Hospital, preparations were in high gear at an isolation and treatment facility for patients who may develop symptoms of the deadly Ebola virus.

Health workers went through the necessary safety procedures and protective measures as part of preparations in the event more cases emerge.

The isolation facility is equipped with four beds in each room, oxygen cylinders and other essential equipment required to manage suspected cases.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says the government has put in place robust measures to contain the disease and respond to any further cases.

“We have designated five (5) health facilities to manage Ebola Virus Disease... Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) with 8 beds... Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) with 50 beds; National Police Hospital with 49 beds; Port Reitz Hospital with 4 beds; and The Nairobi Hospital with 130 beds. This capacity will increase with the establishment of more facilities as the situation evolves,” said Duale.

The measures extend to the country’s borders, particularly along the Kenya-Uganda border in Busia, where the government has designated Malaba Health Centre and Kocholia as temporary isolation facilities for suspected Ebola cases.

“I can say authoritatively health officials are at the Malaba border and screening ongoing,” he added.

Despite the heightened vigilance, the government is says it will not close its borders to countries affected by the outbreak or neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Instead, all travellers arriving from those countries will be subjected to screening procedures as part of efforts to detect and contain any potential cases.

“Screening of travellers from the Ebola disease epicentre has been enhanced at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Gate 16... and all points of entry,” noted Duale.

At the same time, contact-tracing efforts have led to the identification of two more people who had contact with the first patient.

The two have since been placed in quarantine, bringing the total number of people under quarantine to 10.

Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth said: “For now we are determined that they are quarantined at facilities where we can monitor them for symptoms.”

The ministry has reiterated that there is no Ebola outbreak in the country, but says it remains on high alert and prepared to respond should cases emerge.