Editor's Review
The US Department of State has increased its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3.
The US Department of State has increased its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, the department urged American citizens to reconsider traveling to Kenya.
The department cited health risks, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety.
“Reconsider travel to Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk,” read part of the statement.
The US Department of State cautioned US citizens against traveling to Eastleigh and Kibera due to the risk of crime and kidnapping.
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It also advised American nationals not to travel to Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River, or coastal areas north of Malindi due to the risk of kidnapping and terrorism.
The department listed West Pokot County and Western Turkana as other areas with crime risk in Kenya.
“Do not travel to Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia due to risk of unrest,” the department stated.
The US Department of State also highlighted Ebola cases in Kenya, noting that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already issued an advisory.
The department further mentioned that medical services in Kenya are limited and medical facilities often lack sufficient medicine and equipment.
“Medical services in Kenya are limited. They are often unavailable in rural areas. Medical facilities in Kenya often lack sufficient medicine and equipment. Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centers with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your own expense. Medical facilities will usually deny service if payment is not made upfront,” the department added.
This comes a day after the Ministry of Health confirmed a new Ebola case, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to eight.
Speaking on Sunday, October 18, Director General for Health Patric Amoth said the new case involves a 49-year-old patient attendant.
Amoth noted that the patient had developed symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle pain before testing positive for Ebola.
“The cases have increased by one. Today we tested 38 persons; one turned positive, not a direct health care worker, a patient attendant, a 49-year-old gentleman who developed symptoms of fever, headache, and muscle pain, and his test came out positive,” he said.
The Health Director General said the patient has been isolated and was being prepared for compassionate treatment.
Amoth also said all the seven Ebola patients had received monoclonal antibody treatment and were responding well.
