Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to regional and global health security as countries intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting parts of East and Central Africa.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined health ministers and global health leaders in a high-level virtual meeting convened by the European Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to strengthen international coordination and response measures against the disease.
The meeting reviewed the evolving Ebola situation in the region, with 681 confirmed cases and 126 deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The meeting reviewed the evolving situation in the region, where 681 confirmed cases and 126 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. While Kenya remains free of Ebola, the Cabinet Secretary noted that the country continues to maintain heightened vigilance given regional connectivity and cross-border movement,”statement read.
Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, Duale noted that the country remains on high alert due to regional connectivity and cross-border movement.
He said the government has enhanced surveillance systems and screened more than 100,000 international travellers as part of efforts to prevent the disease from entering the country. Other preparedness measures include strengthening laboratory capacity, training healthcare workers, conducting public awareness campaigns and establishing isolation and treatment facilities.
The Cabinet Secretary said all suspected Ebola cases investigated in Kenya have tested negative.
To further strengthen preparedness, the Ministry of Health has designated four national laboratories for Ebola testing and placed 343 rapid response personnel on standby for deployment. More than 2,000 healthcare workers have also undergone specialized training, while simulation exercises are being conducted in counties identified as high-risk areas.
Duale emphasized that disease outbreaks require coordinated action, solidarity and sustained investment in preparedness and response systems.
Participants at the meeting called for increased support for vaccines, diagnostics, laboratory systems, personal protective equipment, rapid response teams and cross-border surveillance mechanisms. Kenya reaffirmed its support for the Continental Preparedness and Response Plan and urged partners to ensure sustainable financing for outbreak preparedness while safeguarding essential health services.
The virtual meeting brought together senior global health leaders, including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Jean Kaseya, Hadja Lahbib, representatives of the European Union and Médecins Sans Frontières, as well as Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Patrick Amoth.