Kenya has successfully contained Ebola - CS Duale

Appearing before the National Assembly's Committee on Delegated Legislation on Tuesday, November 3, Duale said the government had achieved 100 per cent contact tracing.

He described the response as a significant milestone in the country's fight against the disease.

The CS revealed that those traced include passengers and crew members who travelled with the index patient, airport workers, immigration and customs officers, healthcare personnel and family members who interacted with the patient.

"We have done 100 per cent contact tracing. The only country that did is Kenya. Kenya should be appreciated, should be globally celebrated, not condemned through travel," Duale told the committee.

According to the CS, 45 healthcare workers are among the 135 identified contacts currently under quarantine.

Duale further revealed that Kenyan authorities had successfully tracked down an individual who travelled with the index patient but subsequently proceeded to Mogadishu, Somalia.

He said the government had also notified countries through which the patient and other contacts transited, in line with international health regulations.

The CS defended Kenya's handling of the outbreak, insisting that the country's surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures had been effective in limiting the spread of the virus.

He also criticised travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia following the outbreak, arguing that such measures were inconsistent with international public health recommendations.

Duale disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had formally raised concerns with Saudi authorities and that diplomatic engagements were underway to have the restrictions reviewed.

He said the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and his office had engaged Saudi authorities over the matter.

"WHO has spoken for us to the Saudi government. The African CDC has spoken for us. Myself, I have spoken to the Minister for Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said.

According to Duale, Saudi Arabia is reviewing its travel advisory, with the government optimistic about a favourable outcome.

He maintained that international health authorities recommend strengthening disease surveillance, detection and containment systems rather than imposing blanket travel restrictions.

During the committee proceedings, Duale also defended the government's decision to introduce Ebola prevention and control regulations without undertaking the conventional public participation process.

Citing Section 5A(2) of the Public Health Act, the CS argued that the urgency of the outbreak required immediate intervention to protect public health.

"We are dealing with a serious public health threat, so the luxury to go around, put in newspapers, go ask people what is your view, how do we do this, the Public Health Act and Section 5A gives me, as a Minister of Health, the powers to bring the regulations," he stated.

He further assured lawmakers that individuals placed under quarantine were receiving adequate accommodation, food, medical care and continuous monitoring.

Duale said each quarantined individual had been allocated a separate room to minimise the risk of transmission, while additional infection prevention measures had been implemented at isolation facilities.

He added that healthcare workers attending to patients and contacts had received specialised training and were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.

The ministry has also trained healthcare personnel on safe burial procedures to minimise the risk of transmission.

On the movement of people and goods across regional borders, Duale explained that the index patient had travelled approximately 3,000 kilometres from western Democratic Republic of Congo to Nairobi.

He noted that Rwanda had initially closed its border following the outbreak but subsequently reopened it.

Meanwhile, Duale hinted at encouraging developments regarding patients undergoing treatment and individuals currently in quarantine, saying the ministry expects to share positive news with the country.

"We have good news in regards to our patients and those in quarantine. It will be good news for the country," he told the committee.

The government has maintained that surveillance and containment measures remain in place as health authorities continue monitoring the outbreak.