An American humanitarian worker who contracted Ebola while serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to be treated in Germany rather than Kenya, easing public concern over a controversial US-backed quarantine facility in Laikipia County.
The aid worker, employed by the Christian relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse, tested positive for the virus while working in Bunia, a city in Ituri Province at the centre of the latest Ebola outbreak. The outbreak has claimed more than 640 lives and continues to spread across parts of eastern Congo.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the infection last week, describing it as the second American case linked to the current outbreak. The first patient was evacuated to Germany in May and has since recovered.
Samaritan’s Purse said the employee was serving in a logistics role and had not been directly treating Ebola patients. The organisation added that he had been placed in isolation soon after developing symptoms and was receiving care at one of its Ebola treatment centres in Congo.
It has not publicly disclosed where the patient will receive further treatment. However, several international media outlets reported that arrangements were being made to transfer him to a specialist infectious disease facility in Frankfurt, Germany.
People familiar with the evacuation plans said Kenya was not being considered because the proposed treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base remains unfinished.
The decision comes weeks after Kenya’s High Court suspended construction of the US-supported Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki following legal challenges and public protests. Residents opposed the project, fearing it would turn Kenya into a treatment centre for foreign Ebola patients. Construction has since been halted.
The latest development is likely to reassure many Kenyans who had voiced concerns over the proposed facility.
Even so, Kenyan health authorities say the country remains vigilant. Although no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Kenya during the current outbreak, officials continue to monitor the situation closely because of the country’s transport links with East and Central Africa.
Last week, the United States announced KSh1.9 billion in funding to strengthen Kenya’s Ebola preparedness. According to the US Embassy in Nairobi, the support will improve disease surveillance, laboratory testing, health worker training and screening at airports and border crossings.
“Strengthening preparedness will protect the health and economic well-being of Kenyans, reduce the risk of cross-border spread, and advance the shared regional and global health security mandate,” the embassy said.
The embassy added that more than 800 laboratory personnel and 1,700 disease detectives have already been trained under the programme.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya’s emergency response teams remain on standby despite the absence of confirmed infections.
“While no case has been reported in the country, we remain on high alert, guided by the understanding that preparedness is our strongest defence against public health emergencies,” Duale said.
The CDC continues to advise against non-essential travel to the Congolese provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. It also urges travellers visiting other parts of Congo or neighbouring Uganda to avoid potential exposure and monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after leaving affected areas.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Researchers are continuing efforts to develop vaccines and therapies as health officials work to contain the spread.
According to the Africa CDC and Congolese authorities, the outbreak has infected more than 1,800 people and caused at least 648 deaths. Uganda has also recorded confirmed cases, including fatalities, although the World Health Organization said the country’s most recent confirmed case was reported on 21 June.
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