The Ministry of Health has cautioned Kenyans to be on high alert after Uganda reported Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noted that Kenya's close proximity with Uganda and the flurry of activity between the two countries puts Kenyans at risk hence the need to be cautious.
Consequently, Kenyans across the 47 counties were advised to watch out for symptoms related to the deadly disease such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pains, headache sore throat among other.
The government also advised Kenyans to be more vigilant of these symptoms while visiting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In view of this information, Kagwe asked health officials to be vigilant and enhance surveillance, especially at the border, activate rapid response teams to support the identification of any suspected cases and make prompt reporting.
"Screening of at-risk populations including travellers, truck drivers, bush meat handlers and health care workers should be prioritised," read the advisory in part.
Nonetheless, the government stated that it had taken steps to address the outbreak, further asking Kenyans to remain calm.
To this effect, the Health Ministry released contacts Kenyans can use to report any symptoms witnessed in their communities.
"If you come across such a person, notify the nearest health facility or administrative officers like Assistant chiefs or call the following hotline numbers immediately: 0729471414 or 0732353535.
"The Ministry of Health is committed to limiting public health threats and shall remain vigilant to ensure that Kenyans are well informed and protected against any such threats including infectious diseases and that the citizens continue to receive quality health services," read the statement in part.
The statement by Kagwe comes a day after Uganda announced that a 24-year-old man died on September 19 after contracting the virus.
Ebola is a fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus which is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
