Amanze Chinonye
The World Health Organization has advised against travel and trade restrictions involving Kenya after the country confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, as President William Ruto convened a national security meeting to assess the risk of further spread.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the agency was monitoring the outbreak and would verify any travel or trade measures introduced in response to it.
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WHO is supporting Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo with contact tracing, surveillance, screening and other response measures aimed at identifying potential cases and preventing further transmission, Tedros said.
Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient had lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years before falling ill. He was treated at several hospitals in the country before travelling by road through Uganda to Kenya, where he later died.
The case was confirmed after the patient arrived in Nairobi on Oct. 3. He was isolated at a Nairobi hospital and tested positive at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, authorities said.
Kenyan authorities have identified 28 contacts, including relatives and healthcare workers, while tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same Jambojet flight from Kampala to Nairobi. Those considered at risk are being placed under quarantine and monitored.
Ruto directed the National Security Council Committee to assess the situation and ordered a multi-agency response to trace people who may have been exposed, including members of the deceased man’s family, healthcare workers and fellow passengers.
The government has also stepped up surveillance, testing and contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
Kenya had strengthened its preparedness following outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. By Oct. 6, authorities had screened more than 652,000 travellers, tested 267 suspected samples and trained nearly 5,000 health workers in Ebola prevention and management.
WHO said Kenya had established isolation capacity in 27 high-risk counties and received about 1,000 testing kits and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits for use in high-risk areas.
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The Kenyan case is linked to the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. WHO said Kenya is the fourth country to confirm the disease during the current outbreak, while Uganda declared its latest outbreak over in August.
Bundibugyo virus disease spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe illness can involve bleeding.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
