The government has designated a special screening gate at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for passengers arriving from countries affected by Ebola and other infectious diseases.
Speaking at JKIA on May 30, Public Health Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni said that Gate 16 has been designated for flights arriving from countries with reported disease outbreaks, allowing health officials to conduct enhanced screening and surveillance.
“The border management team domiciled at the airport has increased surveillance at the six international arrivals gates, with Gate 16 now designated for passengers coming from high-risk countries,” PS Muthoni said.
PS Muthoni added that the Ministry of Health has also expanded mandatory screening to passengers arriving from 10 neighbouring countries as part of efforts to prevent the importation of infectious diseases into Kenya.
JKIA Sets Aside Gate 16 for Enhanced Ebola Surveillance
During her assessment visit to JKIA, she reviewed several key areas, including passenger screening procedures, the use of thermal scanners, the availability of isolation facilities, laboratory readiness, aircraft and wastewater surveillance systems, and the coordination of emergency response mechanisms.
She noted that health authorities have established protocols for handling travelers who become ill during flights, with airlines required to notify port health officers before landing whenever a passenger is suspected to be unwell.
Upon arrival, affected passengers are taken to the airport clinic for medical assessment, and those requiring specialized care are referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
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Travellers entering the country will also be required to complete online self-declaration forms detailing their travel history and health status.
Other measures include an isolation centre manned by port health officials that has been set up at the gate to enable swift response should a suspected Ebola case be identified.
She added that additional isolation points have been established to strengthen preparedness and allow for the prompt assessment of travellers showing symptoms linked to the disease.
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PS Muthoni urged the public to remain vigilant, observe proper hygiene practices, seek medical attention when unwell, and rely on the Ministry of Health’s official communication channels for accurate information.
“Avoid unnecessary travel to those countries that have reported cases. If possible, wait until the situation stabilizes before making the trip,” she said.
To strengthen surveillance, genomic sequencing has been enhanced through the collection and testing of wastewater samples from aircraft arriving at the airport, both domestic and international, at national laboratories.
The Principal Secretary commended frontline health workers for their vigilance and commitment to safeguarding public health.
Mary Muthoni reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to maintaining strong preparedness systems and ensuring rapid detection and response to public health threats.
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