Kenya has tightened Ebola preparedness measures at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with travellers arriving from 10 African countries now required to use a designated gate for enhanced health screening.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the 10 countries have been classified as higher-risk countries for the spread of the virus.
They are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Angola, the Central African Republic, Zambia and Tanzania.
Ms Muthoni announced the measures after touring JKIA on Wednesday to assess the country’s preparedness and introduce additional measures aimed at preventing the entry and spread of Ebola.
Under the new arrangement, Gate 16 at JKIA will be used for passengers arriving from the 10 countries, where they will undergo enhanced screening.
The government has also expanded its health declaration requirements. In addition to forms completed by passengers entering Kenya, travellers leaving the country will now be required to provide information to help health authorities track their health status.
Ms Muthoni said passengers entering Kenya would be required to provide information on their verified health status and disclose any treatment or medication they have received within the previous month.
She said the information would help health authorities identify potential cases, particularly after an earlier case in which a patient reported having been unwell and receiving medication before travelling.
The government has also advised travellers and the public to reduce physical contact and revive precautions used during the Covid-19 pandemic, including avoiding handshakes and hugs.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has commended Kenya’s preparedness measures and called for faster action to prevent the virus from spreading.
The latest measures come as African countries strengthen surveillance and preparedness amid concerns over the spread of Ebola in the region.
Kenyan authorities are continuing to assess preparedness at points of entry and strengthen surveillance to ensure suspected cases are identified and managed promptly.
