The Kenyan government has firmly ruled out closing its international borders despite growing public health concerns over a localized Ebola outbreak. Senior health officials are instead calling on county governments across the nation to bolster their medical preparedness and urging members of the public to seek immediate medical intervention if they develop symptoms of the virus.
Dr. Andrew Mulwa, Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) at the Ministry of Health, assured the public that the government has no intention of shutting down cross-border movement. However, he stressed that maintaining open borders necessitates an elevated level of vigilance, active surveillance, and swift emergency response capacities across all 47 counties.
Dr. Mulwa emphasized that Kenya’s geographic position and robust trade links make continuous mobility unavoidable, heightening the need for decentralized preparedness. “I urge every county to prepare to deal with this disease because our people are always travelling to other countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Dr. Mulwa stated. He explained that coordinated, proactive measures between national public health agencies and devolved county health units are critical to identifying potential exposure chains early and preventing local transmission.
Highlighting the importance of public cooperation, the health official appealed to citizens to monitor their health closely and report any suspicious clinical signs without delay. He outlined key symptoms associated with Ebola infection, including a persistent sore throat, high fever, extreme physical fatigue, severe headaches, sudden loss of appetite, and unexplained vomiting.
“If you suddenly get these symptoms, please seek medical attention in hospital immediately,” Dr. Mulwa cautioned, warning against home management or ignoring unusual health symptoms during an outbreak period.
The urgency of the government’s directive comes as health authorities continue to manage a localized cluster of infections. According to official data disclosed by Dr. Mulwa, eight Ebola cases have been detected in the country to date. Among the confirmed cases are three frontline healthcare workers who became infected while delivering medical care. Notably, one of the affected medical personnel, a 49-year-old healthcare worker, was isolated after suspected exposure to Kenya’s index patient who succumbed to the disease.
Health experts note that cross-border travel along major East African transport corridors remains a key focal point for disease surveillance. By keeping international ports of entry open while simultaneously intensifying health screening at regional transit points and airports, Kenya aims to safeguard public health without disrupting economic activity or regional trade.
Ministry officials reiterated that early detection, comprehensive contact tracing, infection prevention protocols in hospitals, and public awareness remain Kenya’s primary lines of defense against the viral threat.
