President Ruto's Directive to NSCC After First Ebola Case in Kenya

President William Ruto has ordered the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the first imported case of Ebola virus disease in Kenya. 

In a statement on Tuesday, October 6, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the President tasked NCSS to recommend necessary measures to safeguard the country from the Ebola virus.

“President William Ruto this afternoon ordered the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the death of a patient confirmed as an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease and to recommend the necessary measures to safeguard the country,” Mohamed stated. 

The State House spokesperson said the government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public health measures to prevent further transmission of the Ebola virus. 

Mohamed noted that 8 family members of the deceased Ebola patient have been laced under quarantine and are undergoing symptom monitoring. 

He mentioned that 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been placed under quarantine. 

“Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily symptom monitoring. 

“Twenty-one healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored,” Mohamed said. 

He also said 27 passengers who travelled with the Ebola patient from Uganda to Kenya have been identified and contacted. 

Further, Mohamed announced that the deceased patient has been safely buried in accordance with health protocols. 

“The deceased has been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols,” he added. 

Elsewhere, the Director General for Health Patrick Amoth has explained that Ebola is mainly transmitted by direct contact with a person infected with the disease or the body of a person who has died from the virus. 

Speaking on Tuesday, Amoth said the Ebola virus can also be transmitted by coming into contact with a contaminated surface through broken skin or mucous membranes. 

“The main mode of transmission of Ebola is by direct contact, either with a person suffering from Ebola or a body of a deceased person who has died from Ebola, and you can also touch a contaminated surface through broken skin or mucous membranes,” he stated. 

The Health Director General explained that Ebola is not spread through air or droplet transmission. 

Amoth also said the symptoms of the virus include headache, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bleeding manifestations. 

The Health DG urged members of the public to always wash their hands using soap and sanitizers, avoid crowded places, and keep distance from somebody with Ebola symptoms. He also appealed members of the public to avoid handshakes and hugging. 

“I want to appeal to Kenyans going forward: we can avoid handshakes and hugging; we can just wave,” added Amoth