The Ministry of Health (MOH) has placed 20 counties on high alert for Ebola virus infection.
This alert comes following the surge in the number of cases in Uganda.
Moreover, acting Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth on Tuesday, September 27 stated that the counties at risk of infection with the virus that emerged in Uganda on September 19 include, Busia, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Makueni, Taita taveta, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kericho.
Other are: Bungoma, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, and Uasin Gishu.
Furthermore, Dr. Amoth said the risk of the Ebola virus spreading to Kenya is because of the massive human traffic between Kenya and Uganda via the Busia and Malaba ground crossing points.
In addition, the health director singled out the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa international airports, as well as the heavy population of Ugandan citizens in Nairobi, Kajiado and Kakuma as risk factors.
“Owing to these risks, Kenya needs to implement effective measures to prevent the Ebola virus outbreak spreading into the country, including stepping up surveillance for detection and preparedness for appropriate response,” Dr. Amoth noted.
Moreover, MOH has urged Kenyans to practice precautionary measures such as being vigilant on the signs and symptoms of Ebola.
The symptoms may be high fever, vomiting, cough, chest pain, diarrhea, measles-like rash and bleeding from body openings.
“Members of the public are advised to adhere to preventive public health measures such as handwashing, wearing masks, and social distancing. Avoid touching or burial of dead bodies that have died of unknown causes unless confirmed by health authorities, and avoid contact or eating bush meat especially from monkeys, bats, baboons, gorillas, and chimpanzees,” Dr. Amoth advised.
Nonetheless, Uganda’s Ministry of Health on Friday announced that four more Ebola cases have been confirmed, taking the total number of cases to 11.
Also Read: Surveillance Heightened Over Ebola Outbreak In Uganda
Moreover, Uganda also said three people succumbed to the disease, raising the number of cumulative fatalities to eleven.
It is important to note that the Ebola virus enters the body through contact with infected blood, urine, feaces, semen or other bodily fluids within an incubation period of 2-21 days.
Likewise, Kenyans have been asked to report suspected Ebola cases to the nearest health facilities or call 719 or MoH via 0732 353 535 and 0729 471 414.
