Category: Health

NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — The Kenyan government has intensified nationwide Ebola preparedness and surveillance measures following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

In a press statement issued on Friday, Kenya’s Ministry of Health said the outbreak had already been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The ministry, however, reassured citizens and the international community that Kenya has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola as of May 21, 2026.

According to the statement signed by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, three individuals with recent travel history from the Democratic Republic of Congo who visited health facilities with unrelated illnesses were isolated and tested for Ebola, with all results returning negative. Four additional contacts linked to the individuals also tested negative.

The government noted that Kenya remains at elevated risk due to its strong regional trade, transport, and population movement links with affected countries, prompting authorities to activate an enhanced national response framework.

As part of the measures, the Ministry of Health, through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), has activated the Incident Management System and Public Health Emergency Operations Centres at national and county levels.

Rapid response teams have also been placed on standby, while coordination with county governments, the WHO, the Africa CDC, and regional partners has been intensified.

The ministry disclosed that screening and surveillance operations have been strengthened at airports and land border crossings, with a cumulative total of 42,447 travellers screened as of May 21, including 2,965 in the last 24 hours.

Kenya also identified 22 high-risk counties and deployed 118 rapid-response personnel, while more than 880 healthcare workers at national and county levels have undergone sensitisation on Ebola preparedness and response.

Authorities further announced the designation of four national laboratories for Ebola testing, including the National Public Health Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu, and a mobile laboratory platform for rapid deployment where necessary.

The government clarified that there is currently no blanket quarantine for truck drivers or travellers, noting that the country is implementing risk-based screening, monitoring, and rapid response measures in line with WHO and International Health Regulations guidelines.

The Ministry of Health urged members of the public to remain calm but vigilant, maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, and rely only on verified information from official health authorities.

Citizens were also advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, unexplained bleeding, or bruising, particularly after travelling to affected areas in eastern and north-eastern DRC and regions bordering western Uganda.

The government assured tourists, investors, and international travellers that Kenya remains safe and open, while urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to affected regions until the outbreak is fully contained.

“The Ministry remains on high alert and continues to work closely with WHO, Africa CDC, regional governments, and development partners to prevent the entry and spread of Ebola Virus Disease into the country,” the statement added.

KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — The Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Jean Kaseya, has visited Bunia in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, as efforts intensify to contain the deadly disease and prevent further spread across the region.

During the visit, Kaseya held meetings with the Governor of Ituri Province and development partners to discuss urgent measures aimed at strengthening response operations against the outbreak.

He also visited the Bunia District Hospital, where he commended health workers and Africa CDC personnel deployed to the area for their dedication and commitment in battling the outbreak.

“Africa CDC remains fully committed to protecting communities and preventing further spread across the region,” Kaseya stated.

In a related development, Kaseya travelled to Kampala, Uganda, where he met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss the Ebola situation in the region and the need for a coordinated African response.

According to Kaseya, discussions focused on strengthening collaboration among affected countries to ensure a unified strategy against the outbreak.

He praised Uganda for its rapid and effective response measures, noting that following a cross-border meeting involving the Health Ministers of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, African countries would adopt a common regional response plan.

Kaseya expressed confidence that the continent would overcome the outbreak through collective action and strengthened regional cooperation.

KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — The Ministry of Health Uganda has announced that there are currently no active Ebola cases in the country following the recovery of a patient who had been receiving treatment.

The announcement was made by Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, after a meeting of the National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease convened by the Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo.

According to the ministry, the individual who had been under treatment tested negative for the virus and is now awaiting full recovery and discharge.

Despite the development, Ugandan authorities announced a series of strict preventive measures aimed at stopping the spread of Ebola from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an outbreak continues to spread.

Among the resolutions reached by the task force is the intensification of nationwide public awareness campaigns on infection prevention and control measures through radio, television, social media, religious institutions, cultural organisations, and local government structures.

The government also directed enhanced screening, testing and treatment capacity along the Uganda-DRC border based on ongoing risk assessments.

Authorities further announced the temporary suspension of cultural celebrations and commemorative events that attract large gatherings in border communities near the DRC.

Uganda additionally suspended public passenger ferry services on the Semliki River, cross-border bus transport and other forms of public transportation between Uganda and the DRC for four weeks, although food and goods transportation will still be permitted.

The government also ordered stronger border patrols along porous crossing points to reduce illegal movements between the two countries.

Other measures include the suspension of weekly markets in high-risk border districts, stricter enforcement of health Standard Operating Procedures in schools, hotels, prisons, places of worship and non-weekly markets, as well as tighter monitoring of deaths in districts considered vulnerable to the outbreak.

Authorities said schools across Uganda would reopen as scheduled, but must strictly observe health protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.

The ministry urged the public to remain vigilant, comply with all health directives and promptly report suspected Ebola symptoms to the nearest health facility.

The latest measures come amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain currently spreading in eastern Congo and parts of Uganda. The strain presently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

According to the World Health Organisation, the outbreak has so far resulted in hundreds of suspected cases and over 100 deaths in the DRC and Uganda, prompting the WHO to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern earlier this week.

WHO data showed that as of May 16, at least 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in Ituri Province in eastern Congo, while additional cases and fatalities have since been recorded as the outbreak spreads to more regions.

BUKAVU, DRC (NPA) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed grave concern over the rapid spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that no vaccine is currently available to tackle the outbreak. Hundreds of suspected cases are being reported daily, with health workers racing to contain transmission.

Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that 26 suspected deaths occurred within 24 hours, bringing fatalities to 131. Official figures show 516 suspected cases and 33 confirmed infections in DRC, alongside two confirmed cases in Uganda.

WHO’s representative in DRC, Dr Anne Ancia, said more than 500 suspected cases have been identified, but only 30 confirmed so far. She explained that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, for which no vaccine or therapeutics exist.

“We have significant uncertainty about the number of infections and how far the virus has spread,” she noted.

The outbreak, first detected in Bunia, Ituri province, has now reached North Kivu, with confirmed cases in Butembo and Goma. Uganda has also reported imported cases.

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern, citing the “scale and speed” of transmission.

Detection was initially delayed because local tests returned negative results for the Zaire strain of Ebola. Only later did laboratory analysis in Kinshasa confirm the Bundibugyo virus. Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting complicated early diagnosis, with nosebleeds appearing only after several days of infection.

WHO’s technical advisory group is reviewing candidate vaccines, including Ervebo, which targets the Zaire strain. Dr Ancia cautioned that it would take at least two months before any vaccine could be deployed. “It is not two months before the outbreak will be done. Remember the previous one, it took two years,” she warned.

In the meantime, WHO is prioritising community engagement to counter misinformation and promote sanitary practices, particularly around funerals. Dr Ancia stressed that coercive measures could backfire, leading families to hide bodies or patients refusing treatment. Health workers are engaging schools, churches, and community leaders to build trust.

The outbreak is unfolding in a region destabilised by conflict. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that Ituri and North Kivu host more than two million internally displaced people, with limited healthcare capacity. Vulnerable refugee populations — including 11,000 South Sudanese in Ituri and over 2,000 Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Goma — require urgent preventive assistance.

WHO has deployed over 40 health professionals and additional diagnostic supplies to support the government‑led response. Officials stress that the combination of insecurity, displacement, and lack of vaccines makes this outbreak one of the most complex public health emergencies in recent years.

GENEVA, Switzerland (NPA) — John Dramani Mahama has called for a fundamental reset of global health financing and development cooperation, warning that growing cuts in humanitarian assistance and international aid signal the collapse of the old donor-dependent model.

Mahama made the remarks while addressing delegates at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Presidency, the Ghanaian leader said recent reductions in humanitarian assistance and Official Development Assistance (ODA) were not temporary setbacks, but clear evidence that the long-standing structure of donor dependency was no longer sustainable.

The President stressed the need for countries to build resilient and self-sustaining health systems rather than relying heavily on external support.

Mahama also urged world leaders to reframe healthcare financing as a strategic economic investment rather than a social burden.

He argued that a healthy population remains critical to sustainable economic growth, national productivity, and long-term development.

“A healthy population is central to sustainable economic growth and national development,” Mahama stated, calling on governments to prioritise healthcare spending as a core driver of progress.

The Ghanaian President further warned of a sharp decline in global humanitarian and institutional health support, which he said could have far-reaching consequences for health systems worldwide.

According to him, humanitarian assistance has dropped by approximately 40 per cent globally, while the World Health Organisation has been severely affected by the withdrawal of funding from the United States.

Mahama said the funding shortfall had forced the WHO to scale down major programmes and reduce staffing levels.

He called for renewed global solidarity and sustainable financing mechanisms to protect essential healthcare systems and preserve gains already made in global public health.