Synopsis
In response to the outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, Kenya's Ministry of Health has heightened surveillance efforts at all entry points, urging the public to seek information from health professionals.Key Takeaways
- Kenya enhances surveillance at entry points.
- Rapid assessment of national response capacity.
- Public urged to consult healthcare professionals.
- Uganda faces eighth outbreak of Ebola.
- WHO collaborates with Ugandan authorities.
Nairobi, Feb 1 (NationPress) Kenya's Ministry of Health has ramped up surveillance at all entry points throughout the country due to an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in the neighboring Uganda.
"As a precautionary measure, surveillance systems have been enhanced in all counties and points of entry," stated Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mary Muthoni, in a statement released in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Muthoni mentioned that a rapid evaluation of the country's readiness to tackle a similar outbreak is currently in progress. This will soon be followed by the creation of a detailed plan aimed at ensuring nationwide preparedness and response to Ebola.
She urged the public to obtain accurate information from certified healthcare professionals, community health workers, or the Ministry of Health via its official website.
This announcement follows the declaration of an Ebola outbreak by the Ugandan Ministry of Health after a 32-year-old male nurse tragically lost his life to the Sudan Ebola virus on Wednesday. This marks the eighth outbreak of this deadly disease in Uganda, according to reports from Xinhua.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it is "collaborating closely with Ugandan health authorities to strengthen surveillance and case management systems, mobilize communities, and enhance risk communication in response to the outbreak."
In September, Uganda's Ministry of Health announced the initiation of a comprehensive Ebola vaccination campaign targeting 25,000 individuals at high risk of infection.
Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services at the ministry, explained that this initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations and bolster preparedness against the viral disease within the country.
Olaro revealed that the ministry has acquired 25,000 Ebola vaccine regimens. These two-dose regimens have been previously utilized in neighboring Congo and Rwanda, with "Zabdeno" administered first and "Mvabea" administered approximately eight weeks later as the second dose.
The Ebola virus is highly contagious and presents various symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and, in many cases, internal and external bleeding.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rates for Ebola fever are alarmingly high, with the human case fatality rate varying from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on the viral subtype.
