Health CS Aden Duale says Kenya’s Ebola containment efforts are working.
Health CS Aden Duale says Kenya has recorded no new infections since October 19 and urges international partners to support containment efforts.
Kenya has protested Saudi Ebola measures, arguing that the restrictions do not reflect the country’s outbreak situation. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said authorities had contained the outbreak, with no evidence of community transmission.
In an October 31 statement, Duale described Saudi Arabia’s response as excessive and unsupported by Kenya’s current health situation. He also said Kenya had recorded no new infections since October 19.
The Health Ministry said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the measures. Meanwhile, Duale urged international partners to support Kenya’s response rather than impose restrictions that could isolate the country.
Kenya challenges Saudi Ebola measures as tracing progresses
Duale said the initial patient had imported the infection and authorities had traced all 135 identified contacts. Health officials placed 118 of those contacts under quarantine as part of containment efforts.
He linked all eight confirmed cases to the initial patient, identifying four healthcare workers and four close family members. The Cabinet Secretary maintained that transmission had not spread beyond that cluster.
Kenya has recorded two deaths, including the initial patient, since confirmation of the outbreak. However, Duale said the tracing and monitoring results showed that the government’s containment response was working.
He also thanked Kenyans for cooperating with health authorities during the emergency. Duale said the country had demonstrated leadership and transparency in managing the outbreak.
Five patients await second Ebola tests
The ministry said five patients had returned their first negative Ebola test results after completing treatment. They were awaiting a second test scheduled for November 2.
Duale expressed hope that the five would leave hospital on November 3. He also expected health officials to release 46 contacts who had remained symptom-free during quarantine.
Those 46 contacts formed part of the group under health monitoring. Meanwhile, another 20 contacts had already completed quarantine and left the facilities.
As treatment and monitoring continued, Duale called for international cooperation rather than condemnation or travel restrictions. He maintained that collaboration would support Kenya’s efforts to overcome the public health emergency.
