Kenya traces 128 of 130 Ebola contacts; two still being sought, ministry says

Kenya's Ministry of Health said on 17 October that 128 of the 130 people listed as Ebola contacts had been traced and quarantined and that two were still being sought, Reuters reported.

Kenya has seven confirmed cases of Bundibugyo Ebola, including one death. The latest four, three health workers and a family member of the first patient, were found among people already in quarantine, the ministry said, as reported by Capital FM and The Star. The ministry said there was no evidence of community transmission.

Mary Muthoni Muriuki, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, said surveillance and response have been stepped up beyond the people in quarantine, KBC reported on 18 October. Counties have been urged to set up quarantine facilities in case the outbreak is not contained. Most of the personal protective equipment received so far has gone to high-risk areas, especially counties bordering points of entry.

Contacts are followed for 21 days, the maximum incubation period of the disease. A contact is anyone who slept in the same household as a case, had direct physical contact with a case alive or dead, touched a case's body fluids, clothes or linens, or was breastfed by a case, according to World Health Organization guidance cited by KBC. Health workers are included.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union's public health agency, said in a statement on 17 October that it commends the Kenyan government for its leadership, swift public health measures and transparent communication. It stressed infection prevention and control, appropriate protective equipment, training and continued support for frontline health staff.

"Healthcare workers are central to the response and face significant risks while caring for affected patients," the statement said. Africa CDC called on member states and partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance and information sharing, and pointed to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It pledged continued support to Kenya on surveillance, technical coordination, risk communication and community engagement.

Africa CDC said Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials. It urged the public to follow guidance from national health authorities and report symptoms promptly.

Kenyans have been advised to wash their hands regularly, avoid unprotected sexual contact with infected or suspected cases, and avoid shaking hands with or kissing suspected patients. Muriuki urged the public to stay calm. Suspected cases, especially people with symptoms, should be reported to the Ministry of Health's toll-free hotline, 719.