Nairobi,KENYA:The government has intensified entry point screening after an Ebola outbreak was reported in Bikiro area in the Northern part of Democratic Republic of Congo.
The outbreak reported Northeast of Kinshasa near the border with Congo Brazaville has so far killed 17 people.
In a media briefing at Jomo Kenyatta international Airport, Health cabinet secretary SIcily Kariuki accompanied by Tourism CS Najib Balala noted that, the virus has not been detected in the country as the government is very much prepared to fight it by strengthening routing screening of travellers in the entry point of the country.
“The government has sealed every entry point totaling to 43 by strengthening screening and scanning machines in border areas of, Busia, Malaba, Wilson Airport, JKIA among others.” Said Kariuki.
The Cs added that the government has also added screening and scanning machines where there is need of more and also deploying 101 health workers at JKIA for screening.
In order to mitigate any threat, the government has established a national health emergencies council consisting of 260 people that will work expeditiously to prevent importation of any various or disease across the country.
She however clarigfied that no flight from the affected areas would be cancelled due to fear of the disease, as isolated areas of emergency and ambulances have been set aside to handle any eventuality.
On his part, Cs Balala faulted possibility of an outbreak of the disease in the country saying it is only in an isolated remote area of DRC which is almost 4000 kilometers from Nairobi that the disease has been spotted.
” Kenya is ready to screen all the targeted area where probably Ebola can come but we are very far from the area but we need to be proactive.” Said Balala.
Tourism Cs further said that he had communication last night with his colleague from DRC Dr. Frank Akelo who has assured him that they are containing the situation by working with World Health Organization WHO and also neighboring countries to equip themselves at all cost.
One person has so far been confirmed dead as a result of the Outbreak in DR Congo.
