Duale names 12 very high-risk Ebola counties

Health CS Aden Duale/FILE

The Ministry of Health has identified 12 counties as very high-risk areas for Ebola transmission due to their location along major transport and trade routes, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has told Parliament.

Duale said Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kisumu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Homa Bay, Migori and Kisii have been classified as Very High hotspots requiring enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures.

He attributed the classification to the movement of people and goods along the Northern Corridor transport network, which connects Kenya to neighbouring countries and serves as a major trade route across the region.

As a result, the Ministry of Health has intensified screening, surveillance and preparedness activities in the identified areas.

Duale further disclosed that 13 additional counties have been classified as 'high-risk and are under close monitoring.

They include; Vihiga, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, Garissa and Elgeyo Marakwet.

The CS told Parliament that the national surveillance system has investigated 22 Ebola alerts reported across the country, all of which tested negative.

"The national surveillance system has investigated 22 alerts across Kenya and all have tested negative," he said.

According to Duale, the alerts were reported in Nairobi, Kiambu, Siaya, Nyeri, Nakuru, Nyamira, Kisumu, West Pokot and Bungoma counties.

He added that three recent alerts reported in Nairobi, Uasin Gishu and Bungoma were also investigated and confirmed negative.

Duale said Kenya currently has test kits, reagents and personal protective equipment sufficient to support the management of about 200 Ebola patients.

"I wish to be very candid. While laboratory capacity is strong, the test kits and reagents, personal protective equipment estimated to support the management of about 200 victims are in place," he said.

The CS said four laboratories have been designated for Ebola testing: the National Public Health Laboratory in Nairobi, KEMRI laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu, and a mobile laboratory in Busia.

"The virus being an extreme risk, four laboratories have been designated for Ebola testing," he said.

At the national level, Duale said Kenyatta National Hospital has prepared eight isolation beds and conducted a simulation exercise, while the National Police Service Hospital has set aside 49 isolation beds for potential Ebola cases.

He added that 29 counties have designated isolation and treatment facilities, with Ministry of Health teams undertaking on-site verification of their preparedness.

Duale further said screening has been enhanced at priority points of entry across the country.

"Screening has been strengthened through thermal scanners, holding rooms and ambulance systems, which are being reviewed and activated in all our priority points of entry, including major airports and high-volume land border points," he said.

Kenya has heightened surveillance and preparedness measures following the Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Uganda as health authorities seek to prevent the importation and spread of the disease.