By Muhammad Amaan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Kenya has identified 127 contacts of an Ebola case and quarantined 94 of them as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further transmission.
The UN health agency disclosed the figures on Monday while announcing additional emergency medical supplies to support Kenya’s response to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
WHO said it had delivered essential medical supplies valued at approximately 70,000 dollars to protect frontline healthcare workers and strengthen the testing of suspected cases.
The supplies include protective clothing, isolation gowns, goggles, face shields, Ebola testing kits and specialised containers for transporting potentially infectious laboratory samples.
Other materials include infrared thermometers, disinfectant sprayers and equipment for infection prevention, waste management and the safe handling of medical materials.
According to WHO, Kenyan authorities have screened more than 665,000 travellers at entry points as part of intensified surveillance to prevent further transmission.
The agency said five laboratories had been designated for Ebola testing, including two mobile facilities at the Busia and Bungoma border crossings.
It added that nearly 5,000 healthcare workers had received training to improve disease detection, patient management and infection prevention.
WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr. Neema Kimambo, said the assistance would strengthen the country’s capacity to manage suspected cases safely.
“Protecting health workers is essential to saving lives,” Kimambo said, emphasising the importance of preventing infections within healthcare facilities.
She explained that the supplies would support safe patient management, reduce infection risks and help maintain essential healthcare services.
The response follows Kenya’s confirmation, on October 6, of its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
According to WHO, the patient is a Kenyan citizen who became ill while living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The patient subsequently travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3, and was immediately isolated after reaching a hospital.
Laboratory tests confirmed Bundibugyo virus infection, but the patient died on October 5, in spite of receiving supportive medical care.
WHO’s report on October 6, identified 28 contacts, while Monday’s update raised the figure to 127, reflecting the expansion of contact-tracing efforts.
The agency said the ongoing outbreak in the DRC had recorded more than 8,700 confirmed cases, underscoring the scale of the regional health emergency.
It added that Uganda ended its outbreak in August, while France and Kenya had each recorded one imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
WHO maintained its advice against imposing travel or trade restrictions on Kenya, Uganda or the DRC, stressing the importance of coordinated surveillance and effective disease-control measures.
