Kenya on high alert following latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
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Kenya’s health authorities are on high alert following the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Local Nation Africa news outlet reports Dr. Samoel Khamadi, a senior research scientist and Director Centre for Virus Research at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), to say that measures have been put in place to detect Ebola at all country’s entry points.
“Ministry of Health officials are closely monitoring movement across the border and especially those coming from the region around DRC,” Dr. Khamadi said.
“Our health officers at all the entry points have been trained on how to identify potential Ebola cases. If they have a suspected case, the person will be quarantined and if need be, samples will be taken for further testing at our laboratories.”
Two Ebola deaths have been reported in the DR Congo since April 21, and more than 230 contacts of the deceased have been identified and monitored.
The World Health Organization said that three vaccination teams will be dispatched to reach those at highest risk, in efforts to contain the latest outbreak.
The DR Congo has seen 14 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, with six recorded since 2018.