Kenya has reached a significant milestone in its fight against Ebola, discharging its last patient and commencing a 42-day countdown to being declared Ebola-free. The East African nation confirmed its first case of the virus in early October when a businessman, who had traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), died shortly after arriving in Nairobi.
The outbreak in DR Congo, which began in May, has been severe. The Kenyan businessman, who contracted the virus there, was linked to the cases in Kenya. His mother also succumbed to the disease. Despite these initial cases, Kenya has reported no new confirmed cases since October 20, and health officials have found no evidence of wider community transmission.
Health Minister Aden Duale announced that 135 contacts of the infected individuals have completed their 21-day isolation period. “Today, with the discharge of the last patient, we can confirm and tell the world that seven patients have recovered, and all contacts have completed their follow-up monitoring, ” Duale stated.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) hailed this development as a crucial achievement in the regional response to the outbreak. Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance until the outbreak is officially declared over.
Under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, an outbreak can only be declared over after 42 days have passed since the last patient tests negative and is discharged, or the last Ebola victim is safely buried. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, and its incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Travel and Surveillance Measures
The Kenyan government is maintaining heightened surveillance at border crossings, airports, health facilities, and communities throughout the countdown period. Emergency response teams remain on alert, and health authorities continue to monitor travelers from affected regions. Kenyans returning from Ebola-affected areas must complete electronic health declarations, undergo screening upon arrival, and spend 21 days in quarantine under health team supervision.
Duale urged countries that have imposed travel and visa restrictions on Kenya to reconsider. He stressed that Kenya does not intend to serve as a quarantine center for other nations. In May, a Kenyan court halted US plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens in Kenya.
Despite the outbreak, Kenya has not restricted domestic travel, trade, or public gatherings. However, international travel has been disrupted. Some Gulf countries have imposed restrictions on travelers from Kenya and other African nations. Saudi Arabia ceased issuing visas to Kenyan nationals in late October, raising concerns among those seeking employment there.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals. Ugandans must now spend at least 21 days outside Uganda before traveling to the UAE. The UAE is also allowing specific groups, such as students, diplomatic passport holders, and Ugandan embassy employees, to enter under approved health procedures.
Uganda, which shares a long border with DR Congo, was among the first countries affected but declared its own Ebola outbreak over on August 27. The current outbreak in DR Congo is attributed to the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, a relatively rare strain for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, though trials are ongoing.
