Ebola Outbreak: Ministry Of Health Reports On Suspected Case In Kenya

Kakamega County Health officials launched investigations into a suspected case of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country after it broke out in Uganda.

The county said in a statement dated Thursday, September 29 that the case was a 32-year-old man who had travelled to Uganda two weeks ago.

The man, who resides in Busia, had shown signs of general body weakness and contained blood in his urine. However, health officials stated that he is responding well to treatment and has been put under isolation.

"The patient had travelled to eastern parts of Uganda to visit a relative on 15th September 2022. While in Uganda he got a trauma and was cut at the right upper limb, he sought medical attention at a health facility in Uganda –the cut was sutured.

"He moved to Kenya for further medical attention. On 28th September 2022 he started experiencing blood in urine and proceeded to St Mary’s hospital Mumias for further management The patient is currently at St Mary hospital isolation unit for further management awaiting laboratory tests," part of the statement read. 

Mumias public health officer, Charles Namasake later clarified that the man was given a clean bill of health after test results showed that he did not have the disease despite showing the related symptoms.

Samples taken were ferried to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for tests.

This comes after the number of people infected in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak jumped to 50 today, with 14 more cases added to the total, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) African region.

The Ministry of Health had on Tuesday, September 27 put Nairobi, Mombasa and 18 other counties on high alert following the outbreak of the disease.

Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth, during a press briefing on Tuesday, September 27 singled out Nairobi and Mombasa counties as they host the Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International Airports, two of the main entry points into Kenya by international airlines.

Also earmarked are 18 counties which include those in the Nairobi Metropolitan region such as Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru, which all featured in the 'red zone' area during the COVID-19 pandemic and were subject to lockdowns.

"Kenya needs to prevent the Ebola virus outbreak from spreading into the country, including stepping up surveillance for detection and preparedness for an appropriate response," Amoth stated, noting that the Ministry has deployed personnel in the aforementioned counties to track any possible cases.

Other counties include Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kericho, Bungoma, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, and Uasin Gishu.

Amoth also singled out Kisumu and Eldoret towns due to the presence of international airports and will be monitored. Kakuma was also named a high-risk area owing to the presence of Ugandan nationals.

The Ministry also advised Kenyans to be on the lookout for symptoms of the disease such as bleeding from body openings, a running stomach, high fever, a cough characterized by chest pains, and skin rash.

Read more about the Ebola Outbreak in Uganda here

Health acting Director General Patrick Amoth. /DAILY NATION