Duale Sends Strong Message to Saudi Arabia After Tough Measures Against Kenya Over Ebola

The Ministry of Health has raised concerns over tough measures imposed on Kenya by Saudi Arabia following the Ebola outbreak, warning that the restrictions are excessive and do not reflect the actual disease situation in the country.

In a press statement released on Saturday, October 31, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defended Kenya’s handling of the outbreak, insisting that the government had made significant progress in containing the disease and preventing further infections.

Duale maintained that Kenya’s initial Ebola case was imported and that health authorities moved swiftly to identify everyone who had come into contact with the patient. He revealed that all 135 contacts had been traced, with 118 placed under quarantine as part of the government’s containment strategy.

The Cabinet Secretary further explained that all eight confirmed infections were directly linked to the initial case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members. He dismissed concerns about widespread infections, maintaining that there was no evidence of the disease spreading within the wider community.

“For avoidance of doubt, our index case was imported and we quickly listed and traced all the 135 contacts (100%) related to the case. In addition we went ahead to place 118 contacts under quarantine. All the 8 confirmed cases were related to the index case as either health care workers (4) or close family members (4),” Duale stated.

He added that Kenya had not recorded a new infection since October 19, arguing that the absence of additional cases demonstrated the progress made by health officials.

The Health CS also disclosed that the country had lost two patients, including the index case, while seven others remained under medical care. Five of the remaining patients had already returned their first negative Ebola test results after completing treatment and were awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2.

According to Duale, the government was optimistic that the five patients would be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 people who had remained under quarantine without developing symptoms. This would add to the 20 contacts previously released.

“This clearly demonstrates that our response is holding and will soon deliver spectacular results. What we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” he stated.

Duale further revealed that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the measures, while thanking Kenyans for supporting the national response.

He maintained that Kenya had demonstrated transparency and leadership in managing the outbreak and urged the international community to work with the country as it continued its containment efforts.

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