Kenyan passengers to face stricter Ebola scrutiny at US airports

Healthcare workers pictured during a previous Ebola outbreak in Uganda in 2022 /FILE

Kenyans travelling to the United States will face tougher Ebola-related screening after US authorities announced that passengers transiting through Nairobi could unknowingly spread the virus before showing symptoms.

The new guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised concern that travellers from the Ebola-hit Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan mostly pass through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while travelling to America.

It said some travellers could unknowingly carry the virus before becoming ill, thus spreading it along the way.

 “Travellers departing from outbreak-affected regions frequently transit through densely populated metropolitan airports such as Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Dubai International Airport, and Istanbul Airport, all of which maintain extensive passenger connectivity to major US gateway airports,” the CDC said in a statement.

“These international transportation corridors support continuous movement of travellers between Central and East Africa and major US metropolitan centres, increasing the likelihood that individuals exposed to Ebola virus disease could enter the United States before symptoms become apparent.”

The CDC also announced that anyone who has been to Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan this month may be temporarily barred from entering the United States, regardless of their nationality.

The measure is expected to remain in place for at least 30 days, CDC said.

The outbreak has already triggered global concern after the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency of international concern.

Health authorities say the disease started in eastern DRC and crossed into Uganda through imported infections.

Current figures from WHO, Africa CDC and international health agencies show more than 300 suspected Ebola cases and at least 80 deaths linked to the outbreak, although experts warn the real numbers could be much higher because many infections may still be undetected.

No case has been reported in South Sudan, but CDC official Dr Jayanta Bhattacharya said it was included in the watch-list because of the weak health system.

“South Sudan has not reported confirmed cases in the current outbreak, but it is considered at high risk because of its close border with affected areas in eastern DRC and Uganda, limited healthcare infrastructure and cross-border population movement,” Jayanta said.

The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first identified in Uganda in 2007.

Scientists say the strain has a fatality rate of between 30 and 50 per cent, lower than the Zaire strain that can kill up to 90 per cent of infected people, but it remains highly dangerous because there is currently no approved vaccine specifically targeting it.

Most infected people develop initial flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, severe fatigue and weakness, intense headache and muscle/joint pain, within four to 10 days.

Patients can survive through intravenous fluids, balancing body salts (electrolytes), maintaining blood pressure and treating secondary infections.

Some patients deteriorate and develop diarrhoea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, saliva or sweat from infected people. It can also spread through contaminated surfaces, unsafe burials and contact with infected animals.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni reassured Kenyans that no Ebola case has been confirmed in the country so far. However, she said the country remains on high alert because of its role as a regional transport and business hub.

“The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the situation in collaboration with regional and international partners and will continue to provide timely updates as necessary,” she said in an advisory to county governments.

Muthoni said the ministry has intensified surveillance at the JKIA and other border entry points.

Travellers arriving from affected countries are undergoing enhanced health screening, temperature checks and travel history assessments.

Rapid response teams and isolation units have also been placed on standby in case a suspected case is detected.

“All county governments and county departments of health are advised to heighten surveillance in all health facilities, especially in counties with high cross-border movement and international travel,” she said.

The PS also called for strengthening of laboratory preparedness and specimen referral systems for timely diagnosis and confirmation.

She urged health authorities to ensure health facilities adhere to safe specimen collection, handling, packaging, transportation, and disposal procedures.

Uganda, DRC and international partners are also rolling out emergency containment measures.

These include contact tracing, isolation of suspected patients, deployment of health workers, public awareness campaigns and tighter cross-border monitoring. WHO and Africa CDC have sent experts, laboratory support and emergency supplies to affected areas.