Gov't Bans Repatriation of Bodies of Ebola Victims Under New Rules

The Ministry of Health has banned the repatriation of bodies of people who die from Ebola disease outside Kenya. 

In a Gazette Notice dated Monday, October 12, the Ministry prohibited the transfer of bodies of people who have died from Ebola disease beyond Kenya’s borders, with transportation within the country subject to approval by the medical officer of health.

"The body shall be transported in a suitable conveyance under arrangements approved by the medical officer of health and in accordance with infection prevention and control measures.

"A person shall not transfer or repatriate the body of a person who has died of Ebola disease outside Kenya," the notice read.

Under the rules, the medical officer of health is required to assess deaths involving suspected or confirmed Ebola cases and determine whether post-mortem specimen collection and testing are necessary.

"The medical officer of health shall arrange assessment of the death and where indicated, post-mortem specimen collection and testing," the notice added.

The regulations further require that bodies be handled exclusively by trained personnel wearing appropriate protective equipment. 

The remains must be placed in a sealed, leak-resistant body bag bearing an identification reference and kept in a secure, designated area if storage is necessary.

The body must not be washed, embalmed, undressed or redressed for funeral purposes. 

A sealed body bag can only be opened for an examination or specimen collection authorised by law and conducted under appropriate infection prevention and control measures.

The medical officer of health is also responsible for ensuring that premises and equipment affected during the handling process are decontaminated and that contaminated waste is disposed of safely.

"The medical officer of health shall ensure decontamination of affected premises and equipment, safe disposal of contaminated waste and assessment and follow-up of personnel exposed during body handling or burial," the notice further read.

The rules further provide for the lifting of Ebola-specific restrictions if testing excludes the disease in accordance with the applicable diagnostic protocol.

"Where Ebola disease is excluded in accordance with the applicable diagnostic protocol, the medical officer of health shall lift Ebola-specific restrictions and notify the person entitled to take charge of the body," the notice explained.

According to the Ministry, where Ebola is confirmed or remains a concern, burial must be arranged without unnecessary delays. 

The burial site must be suitable on public health grounds and permitted under the law, while authorities must comply with requirements relating to death registration, burial permits and investigations into the cause of death.

"The medical officer of health shall arrange burial without undue delay, at a site suitable on public health grounds and permitted under applicable law, subject to requirements for death registration, burial permits and investigation of the cause of death," the notice added.

Despite the restrictions, the regulations require health officials to consult the deceased person's next of kin, where available, on burial arrangements. 

Families may participate in the burial and observe religious or cultural practices provided these do not compromise infection prevention and control measures.

The rules also establish procedures for handling unidentified or unclaimed bodies, requiring health officials to work with relevant authorities to establish the deceased person's identity, trace relatives and preserve identification records before burial.

"In the case of an unidentified or unclaimed body, the medical officer of health shall coordinate with the relevant authorities to establish identity, locate the next of kin and preserve identification records before burial," the notice added.

The regulations further require health officials to maintain records documenting the identity of the deceased, where known, the identification reference, transfers of the body, and the date and place of burial.

Authorities must also ensure that the grave can be identified and that its location is communicated to the next of kin.

This comes days after the government received a $2 million (approximately Ksh260 million) grant from China to support drought mitigation and strengthen the country’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks. 

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo said he received the grant during a meeting with Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya.

According to the Embassy, the funding was provided following a request by the Kenyan Government.

Kiptoo said the grant formed part of China’s continued support for Kenya and the broader cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure development and socioeconomic initiatives.

"We appreciate the Government of China for its continued support and commitment to strengthening our partnership in infrastructure development and socioeconomic initiatives," he wrote.

According to Kiptoo, of the total funding, $1 million will be directed towards drought mitigation, while the other $1 million will support measures aimed at strengthening preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.

Kiptoo also used the engagement to brief the Chinese ambassador on his recent official visit to China and discussions held during the trip.

"I also briefed the Ambassador on my recent official visit to China and the follow-up engagements required to advance the various projects and areas of cooperation discussed during the visit," he added.