Kenya is among the countries that has been put on alert after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern.”
The health agency released a statement early on Sunday, May 17 saying the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, had already caused 80 fatalities, with 246 suspected infections reported in Ituri province as of Saturday.
More worryingly for Kenya, Uganda has also recorded confirmed cases of the disease, linked to cross-border movement, including two infections and one death in Kampala.
The deceased individuals are believed to have travelled to the DRC and contracted the disease.
An image of the WHO banner in Geneva, Switzerland, with a side image of a virus under a microscope on the side.
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WHO
Despite raising an alarm, WHO noted that the situation is yet to meet the threshold of a global pandemic emergency. Countries that share porous borders with the DRC have been warned to exercise higher caution since they stand a higher risk of transmission.
It is worth noting that the Bundibugyo strain is one of the rarer forms of Ebola, which is considered highly dangerous.
Health officials in the DRC have warned that it has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, with a potential fatality rate of up to 50 per cent.
One point of concern for the WHO is the fact that the disease could be spreading undetected, due to rising suspected cases and a high positivity rate from early testing.
Medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) described the situation as “extremely concerning,” saying it is preparing a large-scale emergency response to contain the spread.
The WHO has urged affected countries to strengthen surveillance systems, activate emergency response plans, and enhance cross-border screening, while cautioning against the closure of borders, which could drive undocumented movement and worsen tracking efforts.
Kenya’s Response
In the wake of the alert from WHO, the Ministry of Health has moved to reassure the public after activating enhanced preparedness measures in response to the outbreak.
The ministry has constituted a National Ebola Preparedness Team and placed the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) on high alert to coordinate real-time monitoring and response activities.
Further, there has been intensified screening at airports, border points and other ports of entry, while the government has also strengthened laboratory capacity to detect viral haemorrhagic fevers quickly.
The ministry added that it is working closely with the WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other regional partners to prevent any possible spread into Kenya.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni during a meeting with the National Laboratory Services officials on January 7, 2025.
Ministry of Health
