Government Allays Fears of an Ebola Outbreak in Kenya

The government through the Ministry of Health has allayed fears of an outbreak of Ebola in Kenya.

This comes after a female patient was isolated at the Kericho County Referral Hospital on Sunday evening after exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the case involving a 36-year-old woman “does not meet the case definition of Ebola.”

“The rapid surveillance and response team which has been set up to respond has examined the patient who is in stable condition and has confirmed that she does not meet the case definition of Ebola,” said Ms. Kariuki.

CS Kariuki spoke after inspecting the screening exercise and Ebola preparedness by medical officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

“I wish to reassure all Kenyans and our visitors that we do not have any cases of Ebola and indeed the Ministry has undertaken and continues to implement the preparedness measures,” she stated.

Blood samples from the patient were taken to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Nairobi for further analysis.

Preliminary results of the analysis will be released within 24 hours.