By Mandere Onyinkwa

The Ministry of Health has heightened its Ebola response after Kenya reported its first case, with contact tracing now identifying 57 people who may have come into contact with the patient or their relatives.

As of Wednesday morning, 10 people were in quarantine facilities as ministry officials continued tracking and monitoring those identified as possible contacts.

The number is expected to rise as health officials follow up on people named during the ongoing contact-tracing exercise.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said Kenya remained on high alert, with health officers across the country activated to ensure a timely response to any suspected Ebola case.

Speaking during a stakeholder meeting at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nairobi, Muthoni said the ministry was working closely with county governments and faith-based health facilities to prepare for a possible increase in cases.

The PS also sought to reassure the public, saying the country was not experiencing an Ebola outbreak but was managing an imported case.

“We do not have an outbreak. We have an imported case under management,” Muthoni said.

She said ministry officials were in the field following up on people identified as contacts, while those already identified were being monitored in quarantine or isolation facilities.

Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth said the country remained alert and had adequate quarantine capacity to respond to the situation.

He said additional or makeshift facilities could be established if the need arose as contact tracing continued.

Surveillance has also been intensified at 15 points of entry, with treatment centres being activated in counties bordering neighbouring countries.

The heightened surveillance is intended to support early identification, isolation and management of suspected cases and limit the possibility of further transmission.

The stakeholder meeting brought together key players involved in the country’s response, with officials emphasising the need for close coordination between national and county governments, healthcare providers and other partners.

The meeting also resolved to hold periodic engagements to assess progress, identify emerging gaps and keep the public informed about measures being taken.

Officials said effective communication would remain an important part of the response, particularly as the number of people being followed up through contact tracing changes.

The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and rely on official information as health teams continue monitoring the situation.