Govt cautious of possible Ebola penetration to the country

By Hezron Ochiel

Kenya: The Government says it is prepared to contain any possible Ebola entry into the country.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Dr Ian Njeru, the Head of Disease Surveillance and Response at the Ministry of Public Health, said the Government has put all measures to ensure Ebola cases are quickly detected and appropriate action taken to contain the spread.

The Government has issued an alert across the country following detection of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (HF) three weeks ago in West African country, Guinea.

‘‘So far we have put a common screening point at all entry points including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for all travellers entering the country from West African states,’’ said Dr Njeru.

Apart from screening, ‘‘The passengers, are required to fill in a special form indicating the countries they have visited since the outbreak for reported, if they have had fever symptoms,’’ said Njeru.

After signing the forms, the health officials will now make a decision to isolate high risk persons.

The hospitals across the country, Dr Njeru said have been alerted to look for fever-related symptoms, adding that the HF laboratory at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) which gives results within 24 hours is also very well prepared to test any possible suspected cases.

Scores dead

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola which is spreading through forests in the West African country's southeast has claimed at least 60 lives and sickened dozens more in Guinea.

Health officials are however struggling to contain the situation but WHO fears, the fever may have crossed borders into Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Two years ago, the deadly Ebola killed 13 people in Uganda and infected seven others after it originated from the western part of the country.

‘‘Since then, we have trained all our health workers on how to manage the fever. I am confident we have the capacity to manage any possible detection,’’ said Dr Ian.

The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, other bodily fluids or organs of infected persons or animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys and antelopes, and it has an incubation period of two to 21 days.

The symptoms are fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat, as well as vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and impaired kidney and liver function.

In the most severe cases, the virus leads to both external and internal bleeding.