Is Ebola under control in Kenya after nine cases confirmed?

ByBasillioh Rukanga Reporting fromNairobi.

Key points

• With more than 9, 500 cases in DR Congo, Kenya faces a steady risk of new cases arriving throughout borders, according to the International Rescue Committee.
• More than 4, 000 individuals have died since Ebola was confirmed in DR Congo in May, making it the second most deadly outbreak of the disease.
• Nevertheless, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth on Tuesday evening sought to reassure residents, saying that the eight patients were all improving and responding well to treatment.
• In Kenya, 134 out of 135 individuals listed as contacts of the first patient remain in quarantine.
• While neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are additionally on alert, the US has cautioned it citizens against travelling to Kenya.

Kenya is grappling with its first ever outbreak of Ebola, a disease which neighbouring countries, such as Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, are applied to dealing with.

Nine cases have now been confirmed including its first patient. This person travelled from DR Congo and died two weeks ago.

Four relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner have now tested positive, meaning they are all linked to him.

But reservations are rising that the virus could start spreading further, even as the administration has sought to assure citizens.

While neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are additionally on alert, the US has cautioned it citizens against travelling to Kenya. Should Kenyans be concerned?

Kenyans have been expressing their reservations that the disease could spread more widely.

With more than 9, 500 cases in DR Congo, Kenya faces a steady risk of new cases arriving throughout borders, according to the International Rescue Committee. It has been working alongside both governments to contain the spread.

For context, the latest outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo species. It is relatively rare, with no approved vaccine or treatment – though trials are under way.

Kenyans raised questions from the outset, regarding how the first patient was able to spend time in the region worst-affected by Ebola, then travel to two more countries before his illness was identified. He died days after his arrival in Kenya.

As a regional transport hub, the risk of the outbreak spreading is a major concern.

As well as at Kenya's main airport, the doctors' union in Kenya has expressed reservations at "lapses" at various border points, including with neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.

Dennis Miskellah, the union representative, informed the BBC that border and port facilities were grossly understaffed.

Nevertheless, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth on Tuesday evening sought to reassure residents, saying that the eight patients were all improving and responding well to treatment. What is being done to stop it spreading?

When the first case was confirmed, the authorities called on individuals not to panic, assuring them of heightened surveillance at airports and border crossings.

Kenya has since introduced enhanced screening for travellers arriving from 10 countries it considers to be at high risk: DR Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Travellers arriving from those countries are required to complete a digital surveillance form before boarding their flights, and to present a QR code to port health authorities on arrival.

As authorities seek to prevent further imported cases, kenya additionally ordered enhanced public health screening of aircraft arriving from those countries.

Within the country, the administration has been sharing public messages to create awareness concerning Ebola, including encouraging individuals to promptly report any suspected cases and seek care at a hospital.

It has additionally focused on hygiene and safety measures, such as washing hands and avoiding close contact with sick residents.

In practice, the administration has additionally designated treatment and isolation facilities nationwide, and health workers have been trained to agreement with the disease.

According to Amoth additionally, a dedicated laboratory had been set up at the Kenyatta National Hospital Infectious Disease Unit to handle Ebola tests, to ensure that the hospital's laboratory was not contaminated.

In Kenya, 134 out of 135 individuals listed as contacts of the first patient remain in quarantine. That means regarding 99% of the contacts have been traced and isolated, so as to prevent Ebola from spreading to the wider population.

That all of those infected so far had links to the first victim demonstrates Kenya's early response is working, according to the International Rescue Committee.

For context, the administration is additionally working with international partners, including Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), to backing its response, including surveillance, communication and community engagement.

In practice, a toll-free emergency hotline, 719, has been provided to the public to report suspected symptoms. Is Kenya prepared in case it starts spreading further?

According to Amoth, none of the contacts of the first patients had demonstrated symptoms before going into quarantine "and therefore the potential to spread to another person is very minimal, literally non-existent".

Notably, the incubation period for Ebola ranges from two to 21 days, meaning those exposed to the virus may not become ill for a number of weeks. The Ebola virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.

Despite that, Kenya's health ministry notes almost 5, 000 healthcare workers have been trained to accord with Ebola at the national and local levels, besides the facilities that have been designated to handle the virus.

Meanwhile, the ministry has pressed residents to remain calm and vigilant. It has additionally asked Kenyans not to stigmatise residents identified as contacts of Ebola cases.

For context, the ministry, along with the WHO, have produced posters to support residents understand Ebola and backing its containment. One message reads: "Stop stigma, choose backing. Stigma can discourage individuals from reporting symptoms or cooperating with response teams." Furthermore, the administration has procured supplies of protective equipment. Is enough being done to protect health workers? Not according to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU).

With three health workers and a hospital cleaner among those infected, questions have been asked as to whether the administration could do more to protect workers.

Health workers and carers can face a higher risk of Ebola infection since caring for infected patients may bring them into contact with blood and other bodily fluids. Questions remain over Ebola patient who travelled throughout three nations undetected.

What is Ebola and why is stopping the latest outbreak so tough?

Dennis Miskellah, the KMPDU deputy secretary general, informed the BBC that protective equipment must be provided to hospitals so that they are fully protected, especially in case patients with symptoms do not declare that they have been in areas with Ebola.

He suggests the administration ought to conduct proper health education to destigmatise the virus, so that residents do not seek to hide their symptoms.

Notably, the International Rescue Committee has additionally called on continued funding for contact tracing, border screening and training of frontline health workers in Kenya. Will there be any restrictions, like a travel ban?

Kenya remains open with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.

Despite confirming the eight cases, the authorities have explicitly ruled out a national lockdown or general travel ban for Kenyans.

In short, is Ebola under control in Kenya after nine cases confirmed? Is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.