Kenya has strongly criticised Saudi Arabia over travel restrictions imposed following the Ebola outbreak, describing the measures as excessive and unsupported by the prevailing health situation.
In a statement shared by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the Ministry of Health maintained that the outbreak remained contained within a single cluster, with no evidence of community transmission. The ministry said Kenya’s index case was imported and that health authorities had successfully traced all 135 people who came into contact with the patient.
Of these, 118 were placed under quarantine, while all eight confirmed cases were linked to the initial patient. Four were healthcare workers and the other four were close family members.
“We have NOT had any transmission of the disease outside this cluster and I reiterate we have NO evidence of community transmission,” the ministry stated.
The ministry added that Kenya had not recorded any new Ebola case since October 19, while five of the seven patients still receiving treatment had returned an initial negative test after completing treatment. The remaining patients were reportedly progressing well, with a second round of testing scheduled for Monday, November 2.
What is the latest situation in Kenya’s Ebola outbreak?
The ministry expressed optimism that the five patients who had tested negative would be cleared to leave hospital on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 contacts who had completed quarantine without developing symptoms.
This would bring the number of contacts released from quarantine to 66, including 20 who had already been discharged. Kenya had recorded two deaths linked to the outbreak, including the index patient, while seven patients remained under medical care as of the statement.
The ministry said the progress demonstrated that the country’s response was working and that the outbreak was approaching containment.
What did Kenya tell Saudi Arabia and the international community?
The Ministry of Health said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the restrictions.
Saudi Arabia had suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya, stopped issuing visas to Kenyan travellers and barred their entry into the Kingdom following the outbreak. Kenya called on international partners to support its response instead of imposing restrictions that could isolate the country.
“Kenya has demonstrated leadership, Kenya has demonstrated transparency, what we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” the statement read.
The ministry also thanked Kenyans for their cooperation, expressing confidence that the country would overcome the outbreak.
