Kenya will not shut down its borders with Uganda or impose strict travel restrictions after the outbreak of Ebola disease in the East African nation last month.
The border between the nations would remain open, according to Patrick Amoth, health director-general. Kenya will increase screening at the points of entry to try to contain the spread of deadly diseases in the country.
On September 20 the health authorities of Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola after it confirmed a case of the Sudan ebolaviruses in the Mubende district of the central part of the country.
After the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, we are putting in place measures to ensure the public health security of the Kenyan people, including heightened surveillance at the points of entry, said Dr Amoth Thursday.
We don't intend to put any restrictions in place because they are not going to work. This is in line with other countries, including the US, which have enhanced screening after the outbreak of the disease.
Travellers who have been to Uganda within 21 days of arriving in the U.S. are subject to enhanced screening, according to a health alert issued by the US Embassy in Uganda last week.
The screening applies to any passenger who was in Uganda, including US citizens. It involves a temperature and symptom check conducted by the Centers for Disease Control CDC and Prevention.
The CDC will collect contact information to share with local health departments at the travellers destination.
Uganda has seen a soaring infection rate and a rapidly rising death toll since the highly contagious Ebola virus broke out late last month.
On Wednesday, Uganda recorded 54 cases of the Ebola virus and 19 deaths.
Uganda was one of the main trading partners of Kenya and in 2021 accounted for 80,067 arrivals through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.