Kenya protests Saudi Arabia’s Ebola measures, says outbreak is under control

NAIROBI,Kenya Nov 1 – The Ministry of Health has protested measures taken by Saudi Arabia over the Ebola situation in Kenya, describing them as excessive and unsupported by the country’s current epidemiological situation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya had contained the outbreak, with no evidence of community transmission and no new infections reported since October 19.

Duale said the initial case was imported and that health authorities had successfully traced all 135 people who came into contact with the patient, representing 100 per cent of the identified contacts.

Of these, 118 were placed under quarantine as part of containment measures.

He said all eight confirmed cases were linked to the initial patient, with four involving healthcare workers and the other four close family members.

“We have NOT had any transmission of the disease outside this cluster and I reiterate we have NO evidence of community transmission,” Duale said.

The Cabinet Secretary maintained that the government’s response was yielding results, arguing that the measures imposed by Saudi Arabia did not reflect the progress made in containing the outbreak.

Kenya has recorded two deaths, including the index patient, since the outbreak was confirmed.

The Ministry said seven patients remained under medical care and were responding well to treatment. Five of them had already returned their first negative Ebola test results after completing treatment and were awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2.

Duale expressed optimism that the five patients would be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, alongside an additional 46 contacts who have been under quarantine but have not developed any symptoms.

The 46 are part of the contacts being monitored by health officials, with 20 others having already completed quarantine and been released.

“This clearly demonstrates that our response is holding and will soon deliver spectacular results,” he said.

The Health Ministry said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the measures, signalling diplomatic efforts to address concerns surrounding the restrictions.

Duale urged the international community to support Kenya’s response rather than impose restrictions that could isolate the country.

“What we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary also thanked Kenyans for their cooperation during the outbreak, saying the country had demonstrated leadership and transparency in managing the public health emergency.

The statement comes amid concerns over the international implications of the Ebola outbreak, with the government insisting that containment efforts remain on course and that there is no evidence the disease has spread beyond the identified cluster.

“Together as a united people we shall overcome,” Duale said.