By Mandere Onyinkwa
Kenya has stepped up surveillance and screening measures at all points of entry as authorities race to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering the country.
This follows outbreaks in neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
At the center of the heightened alert is Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s busiest international gateway, where health officials have intensified screening of incoming passengers and strengthened emergency preparedness measures.
A dedicated arrival gate has now been designated for travelers arriving from high-risk countries, while an isolation facility staffed by Port Health officials has been established at the airport to handle any suspected Ebola cases.
As part of the enhanced surveillance regime, all travelers entering Kenya are required to complete online self-reporting forms detailing their travel history and current health status.
In a further layer of protection, health authorities have introduced genomic surveillance through the collection and testing of wastewater samples from all aircraft arriving at JKIA.
The samples, drawn from both domestic and international flights, are analyzed in national laboratories to detect disease patterns and identify potential threats, including Ebola.
Officials say the system will not only strengthen the country’s ability to detect Ebola early but will also help monitor other infectious diseases of public health concern.
The samples are stored in specialized refrigeration units at the Port Health clinic before being transported for laboratory analysis.
Speaking after an inspection tour of JKIA, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni assured Kenyans that no Ebola cases had been detected in the country and emphasized that robust containment measures were already in place.
She urged members of the public to ignore misinformation circulating on social media and instead rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health.
“We have put in place stringent containment measures and there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Kenya,” she said, adding that quarantine facilities have been established and any serious suspected cases would be referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized care.
The PS called for a multi-agency approach to disease surveillance, saying additional officers would be deployed at border points to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of travelers.
The Border Management Committee at JKIA, led by the airport management and Port Health officials, is assessing the Ebola situation on an hourly basis and issuing regular updates to prevent any gaps in surveillance.
Beyond JKIA, the Ministry of Health has heightened vigilance at all entry points across the country. Muthoni said the government had adopted a whole-of-government approach, including impromptu inspections by senior officials to assess preparedness levels and ensure strict adherence to health protocols.
Airport and border staff have also undergone sensitization on Ebola symptoms and detection procedures.
Authorities are working closely with affected countries to obtain exit-screening information for travelers before they depart for Kenya.
In addition, the government has strengthened collaboration with airlines to ensure accurate reporting of passengers’ health status and compliance with health declaration requirements at immigration checkpoints.
The intensified measures come amid growing regional concern over the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and Uganda, with Kenyan authorities insisting that early detection, coordinated surveillance, and rapid response remain critical to keeping the country safe.
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