The Kenya Medical Association has issued an urgent Ebola preparedness alert to doctors and healthcare workers amid rising cases in the region.
The Kenya Medical Association issued the alert on Thursday, June 11, citing guidance from the Ministry of Health. Healthcare workers were directed to maintain a high index of suspicion for all patients with fever and related symptoms.
Travel history to affected countries or contact with travellers from those regions must also be routinely assessed. Any patient presenting symptoms of the virus must be isolated first upon arrival at hospitals, even before travel history confirmation or laboratory results.
"Do not wait for travel history confirmation or laboratory results before initiating isolation. Patients may not volunteer their history or may be too ill to provide it. ISOLATE FIRST. Investigate and initiate management after," the circular reads.
Kenya has not reported any confirmed cases of the disease so far. However, the country remains at risk due to high cross-border movement through key entry points including Busia, Malaba, Suam, Namanga and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
