After confirmation of the Ebola Outbreak in an occurrence that saw one casualty suffered in Uganda at Mubende District, the Government of Kenya has taken vigilance a notch higher at borders.
Through the Ministry of Health, Kenyans have been asked to remain vigilant as there is enhanced surveillance at all border points of the country.
This is after confirmation by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) after testing samples from the deceased, who had initially been treated for malaria, before being diagnosed with Ebola.
The Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, this Wednesday September 21, has asked the counties neighboring Uganda to take precautions that include screening travelers, truck-drivers stating that the alert is in keeping with the East African Community (EAC) health protocols.
He has called on the citizens to watch out for anyone presenting acute onset of fever especially if they have come in contact with persons with a history of travel from Uganda and DR Congo within the previous three weeks.
“The main mode of transport is road, air and water (through Lake Victoria). Some of the formal and informal land crossings include border points such as Busia, Malaba, Lwakhakha, Suam. All these put Kenya at high risk of disease importation and therefore members of the public need to be vigilant and report any suspected cases,” Kagwe warned.
Mutahi Kagwe further called on the public to take heightened precautions while visiting Uganda as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kenyans are urged to watch out for some of the symptoms associated with the dangerous malady that include; vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, headache, sore throat, measles-like rash, red eyes and bleeding from body openings.
