Travellers arriving in Kenya from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will now be required to complete health surveillance forms as the government steps up measures to keep Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) out of the country.
The new directive is part of enhanced screening measures being rolled out at points of entry amid concerns over the risk of cross-border transmission of the deadly disease.
According to a diplomatic communication issued through the Kenyan Embassy in Angola, all travellers originating from or transiting through Uganda and the DRC will be subjected to additional health checks before being allowed into the country.
The affected travellers will be required to fill an electronic traveller’s surveillance form before leaving for Kenya.
The government has also ordered temperature checks to be done at the airport on all arriving passengers, with particular emphasis placed on those whose temperature exceeds 38 degrees.
“Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kenya advises that the following steps should be taken at all airports in order to prevent the importation of the disease,” the communiqué said.
This is happening even as health officials remain vigilant about the Ebola situation in the region and take necessary steps to fight an outbreak of the disease.
All airlines and other modes of transportation bringing passengers from the affected nations are being asked to make sure passengers get the forms completed before embarking on their trip.
In addition, transport operators will be required to provide passenger manifests and health declaration forms to Port Health Officers whenever requested.
These measures come on top of the many others that have been introduced previously by the Ministry of Health as part of Kenya’s efforts to improve disease surveillance along its borders.
Health facilities have been directed to be on the lookout and isolate patients exhibiting signs of Ebola infection before any confirmation of their travel history or test results.
In its advice to health practitioners, the Ministry of Health noted the need to act fast when there is suspicion of an outbreak.
“Do not wait for confirmation of travel history or laboratory results before isolating. Patients may not volunteer their history or may be too ill to provide it. Isolate first,” the advisory stated.
The Ministry of Health has repeatedly warned that Kenya remains vulnerable because of the high volume of movement across regional borders and international travel routes.
Key entry points identified as high-risk include Busia, Malaba, Suam, Namanga and Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
While Kenya has not reported any confirmed Ebola cases, authorities say the enhanced surveillance measures are intended to strengthen early detection and prevent the virus from entering the country.