NAIROBI, Kenya, June 15 – The government has placed health authorities on heightened alert over the threat of Ebola spilling into Kenya from neighbouring countries currently battling outbreaks of the deadly disease.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola infections, the country remains vulnerable because of frequent cross-border movement involving Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where cases continue to be reported.
The warning comes as health officials intensify surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent the virus from entering the country.
Muthoni said the DRC has so far reported 635 Ebola cases while Uganda has confirmed 18, a situation she said demands constant vigilance from health authorities.
“Kenya remains at high risk and must remain on high alert because of the extensive movement of people between our country and the affected neighbouring states,” she said.
She emphasized that the absence of confirmed cases should not lead to complacency, noting that rapid response teams have been deployed and remain ready to respond to any suspected infections.
The Ministry of Health has also reinforced monitoring at airports, border posts and other entry points as part of efforts to detect potential cases before they spread into communities.
The alert underscores growing concern across the East African region over the possibility of the virus crossing borders through travel and trade links.
Health officials are urging healthcare workers to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with Ebola and to immediately report suspected cases for testing and isolation.
Members of the public have also been advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms consistent with the disease, particularly after travelling to affected areas or coming into contact with suspected cases.
The government says it will continue tracking the situation in Uganda and the DRC while strengthening surveillance systems and emergency response capacity nationwide.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola’s fatality rate averages about 50 per cent, though outcomes have differed across outbreaks depending on the speed of detection and treatment.
The disease was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ebola is one of the world’s most dangerous viral diseases and is spread through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or tissues of an infected person. Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated materials.
The illness often begins with symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headaches, muscle pain and sore throat before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, bleeding.
