By Ongaga Ongaga
The Ministry of Health has cleared the first 20 people who were being monitored for Ebola following their completion of the mandatory 21-day observation period without developing symptoms.
In a statement issued on Monday, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth said the contacts were in good health and had been cleared to reunite with their families.
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Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6, triggering surveillance and contact tracing measures to contain the outbreak.
The ministry said another 98 contacts remain under monitoring and will be released in four groups beginning November 3, depending on individual health assessments.
“Each of the twenty contacts was assessed against the release criteria, including 21 days without any symptoms since their last exposure,” Dr Amoth said.
He assured communities that those cleared did not pose any risk to their families, colleagues or neighbours, urging them to welcome the returning contacts without stigma.
The country has so far recorded nine confirmed Ebola cases, including two deaths, translating to a case fatality rate of 22.2 per cent.
The seven patients still receiving treatment are reported to be stable and under the care of a multidisciplinary team of health experts.
Genetic sequencing of three of the nine samples has established a link to the first confirmed case and the Bundibugyo virus lineage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysis of the remaining six samples is ongoing.
The ministry said it was also providing mental health and psychosocial support to people in quarantine, recovering patients, their families and frontline health workers.
Dr Amoth cautioned that the release of the first contacts did not signal the end of the outbreak, saying Kenya would only declare it over after 42 days without a new case, counted from the discharge or safe burial of the last confirmed patient following two negative tests taken at least 48 hours apart.
“While we celebrate this milestone today, our eyes remain firmly on the finish line,” he said.
The government said travel, trade and public gatherings remained unrestricted but urged anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after possible exposure or travel to the DRC, to seek medical attention promptly.
