Kenya urges WHO action against travel restrictions amid Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak response
The meeting also agreed to develop a joint Kenya-WHO action plan covering the deployment of donated diagnostic equipment, technical capacity building, support for the remaining outbreak response activities and broader health sector priorities.
KENYA—Kenya has recorded three consecutive weeks without a new confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola case, prompting the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) to review the national response and strengthen preparedness against further transmission.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale held bilateral discussions with a WHO delegation led by Regional Director for Africa Prof. Yakub Janabi in Kenya to assess progress in containing the imported outbreak and reinforce cooperation on health security and wider healthcare priorities.
WHO boosts Kenya’s diagnostic and treatment capacity
Duale acknowledged WHO’s technical and operational support, including emergency supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and validation of Kenya’s Filovirus Surveillance Standard Operating Procedures.
He also welcomed the donation of 12 portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems and a 28-bed Ebola Treatment Unit, which will expand the country’s capacity to diagnose, isolate and manage suspected and confirmed cases.
Kenya has recorded nine cases linked to a single transmission cluster, with no evidence of community transmission.
Six patients have recovered and been discharged, two have died and one remains under treatment.
Meanwhile, more than 772,000 travellers have undergone screening at 28 points of entry.
Laboratories have tested 736 samples, while over 7,300 healthcare workers have received training to strengthen frontline preparedness and response.
Kenya prepares for the end-of-outbreak countdown
Following the anticipated discharge of the last patient, Kenya expects to begin the 42-day countdown required to declare the outbreak over.
Duale stressed the importance of maintaining active surveillance, investigating alerts promptly and continuing screening at points of entry throughout this period.
He requested further WHO assistance with diagnostic supplies, technical training, isolation and treatment infrastructure in high-risk counties, as well as support for frontline response operations.
The two parties also discussed joint monitoring of the countdown, an After-Action Review and coordination of the eventual outbreak declaration in line with established public health criteria.
Kenya raises concerns over travel restrictions
Duale expressed concern about blanket travel bans and visa restrictions imposed by some countries in response to the outbreak.
He called for WHO engagement to ensure that international public health measures follow scientific evidence and the International Health Regulations (IHR).
He argued that countries reporting health emergencies transparently should receive international support rather than face punitive restrictions.
Beyond the Ebola response, the discussions covered cooperation on Universal Health Coverage through the Social Health Authority, strengthening the Kenya National Public Health Institute and IHR core capacities, local manufacturing of health products, sustainable health financing and digital health transformation.
The meeting also agreed to develop a joint Kenya-WHO action plan covering the deployment of donated diagnostic equipment, technical capacity building, support for the remaining outbreak response activities and broader health sector priorities.
Duale was accompanied by WHO Kenya Country Director Dr. Neema Kimambo; Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni; Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga; Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth; and other Ministry of Health directors and division heads.
WHO reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to support priority health interventions across the country.
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