CS Duale, UNICEF Review Kenya’s Ebola Response and Strengthen Health Emergency Preparedness
Kenya continues to make progress in containing the Ebola (Bundibugyo) outbreak, with no new cases reported since and no evidence of community transmission, as the Government sustains surveillance, contact tracing and emergency response measures.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale held a high-level strategic engagement with a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delegation led by Country Representative Ms Shaheen Nofer and Associate Director for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Dr Douglas Noble to review Kenya’s preparedness and response to the outbreak and strengthen collaboration in safeguarding public health.
During the meeting, CS Duale noted that all nine confirmed cases are linked to a single chain of transmission, with 46 contacts having completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and scheduled for release, while 52 remain under observation. He highlighted measures undertaken to strengthen the national response, including surveillance across 26 designated points of entry, coordination with high-risk counties, training of more than 4,900 healthcare workers, establishment of 349 rapid response teams on standby and designation of five testing laboratories, complemented by mobile laboratory capacity.
The UNICEF delegation commended Kenya’s coordinated response, particularly its effective contact tracing, data transparency, coordination and accountability. CS Duale acknowledged UNICEF’s support, including the delivery of more than 43,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) valued at US$462,994.06, with additional PPE and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) supplies expected, bringing the total supply contribution to US$716,625.26. The support also includes the deployment of 25 public health personnel and targeted interventions in vulnerable border counties.
The discussions underscored the importance of sustained investment in community health structures, infection prevention and control, protective equipment and other critical response resources. CS Duale called for continued partner support, clear implementation timelines and regular joint progress reviews to track progress, address emerging gaps and ensure coordinated contributions. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining vigilance, protecting communities and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential health and social services through continued collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Africa CDC and other partners.
The CS was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, Director of Public Health and Sanitation Dr Stephen Muleshe, and Acting Director of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Dr Kamene Kimenye.