Nairobi, October 7- Kenya has stepped up Ebola screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for travellers arriving from 10 countries following confirmation of the country’s first imported case of the virus.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said passengers and aircraft arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Central African Republic will be directed to Gate 16 for enhanced screening.
Port Health officials and screening equipment have been deployed at the designated gate, where travellers will also be required to complete health declaration forms.
Duale said the measures are part of efforts to prevent further transmission of Ebola into the country, particularly from countries considered to be at higher risk.
The government is also strengthening preparedness at health facilities, with public, private and faith-based hospitals being mobilised to handle suspected cases.
Five facilities near the Uganda border have been identified as temporary isolation centres, while a district hospital in Busia County is undergoing renovations to serve as a first point of care for suspected Ebola cases entering Kenya.
The Ministry of Health has also said it is working with the Digital Health Agency and telecommunications companies to improve the 719 toll-free health information system as part of the response.
