The government has designated four laboratories to conduct testing for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as the country steps up preparedness and surveillance measures against public health emergencies.
The designated facilities are the National Public Health Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and a mobile laboratory covering Busia and Bungoma.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, through its Public Communication Division, said no case of Ebola has been reported in Kenya, with all suspected cases tested so far returning negative results.
The ministry said the designation of the laboratories forms part of measures being implemented to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and respond to any possible Ebola outbreak.
“Healthcare worker training, simulation exercises, stakeholder sensitisation, and the operationalisation of isolation facilities are also ongoing,” the ministry said.
The government is also stockpiling response supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control materials, to ensure health facilities can respond quickly should a suspected or confirmed case be detected.
Surveillance has also been heightened at Kenya’s Points of Entry, where travellers and conveyances are being screened. Authorities are also sensitising travellers and communities living around border areas on the disease and measures to prevent its spread.
The government said multi-agency teams led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS) and National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) have been trained to strengthen surveillance at informal crossing points, truck-driver stopovers and other areas where large numbers of people converge.
The measures come as Kenya continues to monitor several infectious diseases, including Mpox, Dengue fever and Measles, which have been reported in different parts of the country.
Mpox cases have been reported in 40 counties, with Mombasa, Nairobi and Busia recording the highest numbers. The Ministry of Health continues to conduct confirmatory laboratory testing of suspected cases and has integrated Mpox case management into routine healthcare services.
Kenya has also recorded cases of Dengue fever, mainly in Garissa and Wajir counties, with suspected deaths under investigation. The government has strengthened coordination at county and sub-county levels, laboratory testing at the National Reference Laboratory, case management and infection prevention and control measures.
Authorities are also undertaking community engagement on Dengue transmission, prevention and control.
Measles cases have meanwhile been reported in several counties, with Baringo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa among the most affected.
No deaths from Measles have been reported so far, with the government intensifying active case searches, surveillance, case management and infection prevention measures while engaging communities on prevention.
The government has urged the public to remain vigilant and rely on verified public health information as surveillance continues.
