Kenya trains 30,000 to keep Ebola at bay

Kenya is training 30,000 health workers to screen and manage suspected Ebola cases to ensure the disease does not enter the country.

Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri said in a statement that the training, which ends in December, is being carried out by 150 infectious disease control specialists and involves basic screening, infection prevention, control and case management.

“At the same time, full-fledged isolation facilities have been established at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenyatta National Hospital and other regional hospitals.

“Screening has also been intensified by the formation of a Passenger Screening Oversight Committee that ensures 100 per cent vetting of patients,” Dr Muraguri said.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) recently warned that the country was not prepared to handle Ebola if the disease broke out in Kenya.

Dr Muraguri also announced that 14 automated infra-red thermoscan machines will be installed at airports and other points of entry next week to enhance detection of Ebola and other viruses.

HAND-HELD THERMOMETERS

Currently, health workers are using hand-held thermometers to monitor the temperatures of people arriving from West African countries that are grappling with an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 4,500 people in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Last week, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said Kenya would send 15 doctors and 300 other health workers to the West African countries to help them curb Ebola spread.

He made the announcement at a meeting of East African Community Health ministers in Arusha, Tanzania, where the partner states also agreed to mobilise $750,000 (Sh66 million) from the EAC Reserve Fund for the region’s Ebola emergency preparedness and response.
The EAC states also agreed to send health workers and funds to West Africa.

Dr Muraguri Thursday said the ministry had also sent guidelines to all health facilities on precautions to be taken in suspected cases of Ebola.

“In addition, protective clothing for health workers and people who may handle potentially infectious persons has been distributed countrywide,” he said, adding: “Drugs and other medical supplies have also been placed strategically in health facilities.”

The World Health Organisation has classified Kenya among countries at high-risk of Ebola.

Dr Muraguri said Ebola is spread through direct contact with body fluids of infected persons such as blood, urine, sweat, vomit and stool.

“Ebola is not spread through the air. An infected person suffers from fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (from body orifices),” he said in his statement.

Dr Muraguri advised travellers from the West African countries to monitor their health for such signs and symptoms for 21 days and seek immediate treatment if any develop.

“Health workers should also ensure they note the travel history and contacts of any person with symptoms of viral infection to assist in surveillance,” he said.