The Trump administration is preparing to deploy United States public health officers to Kenya to staff a potential quarantine facility, amid the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The facility would serve as a precautionary measure for Americans exposed to Ebola in the region. The pending approval from the Kenyan government as of Tuesday is intended for Americans who are at high risk of testing positive, as well as those citing similar matters.
Kenya, already a hub for international organizations and health agencies, is seen as a reliable partner in managing potential outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak, health authorities race to contain the fast growing outbreak of Ebola strain in DRC and Uganda, as the virus is declared the third largest outbreak on record.
Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness caused by a multiple viruses called Orthoebolaviruses that damage blood vessels that interferes with the body’s clotting system causing both internal and external bleeding.
Over the past decade, the DRC has been battling recurring Ebola outbreaks, with the latest raising alarms due to its densely populated nation.
Uganda and Rwanda have heightened surveillance, as Kenya is placed at the center of international response planning. The U.S. centers have asked staff to volunteer for the deployment to support Ebola screening at the country’s entry points.
If established, the quarantine facility will reinforce the health cooperation between the U.S. and Kenya, maintaining a healthy strategy globally.
