Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki on Monday afternoon spoke out to thwart fears of Ebola outbreak in Kericho.
Kenyans were on high alert after health authorities in Kericho County reported a suspected case of Ebola when a patient exhibited suspected symptoms of the hemorrhagic fever at the County Referral Hospital.
“Rapid surveillance and response team which had been set up to respond to the Ebola alert has examined the patient who is in stable condition and has confirmed that she does not meet the case definition of Ebola,” the CS revealed while speaking to the media at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
"I, therefore, wish to reassure all Kenyans and our visitors that we do not have any case of Ebola,” she added.
The CS further detailed that precautionary measures have, however, been put as they continue to examine the patient.
“We have set up further precautionary measures including isolation of the patient, submission of blood samples to KEMRI for testing. The results are due later today,” Kariuki reiterated.
According to the CS, the ministry has also undertaken and continues to implement various measures which include coordination of preparedness and response interventions through a multi urgency Ebola preparedness and response committee.
An alert has also been given to health workers and the general public to enhance surveillance measures.
Lastly, a National Ebola Preparedness and Response Contingency Plan has been developed which is guiding the implementation of Ebola prevention and response activities in case of an outbreak.
The CS was at JKIA to oversee the screening of passenger arrivals into the country.
