Kisumu: Kisumu County has intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures, amid growing concerns over the risk of Ebola transmission through its busy regional transport networks, even as health officials confirm that no case has been detected in the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the county has been classified among Kenya’s high-risk areas for Ebola due to its strategic location along transport routes linking Kenya with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the wider Great Lakes region, where outbreaks continue to be reported. With trucks, buses, aircraft and boats moving thousands of people through Kisumu every day, health authorities say the city’s role as a major commercial and transit hub increases the likelihood of an imported case.
Dr. Gregory Ganda, Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, highlighted the risks associated with the city’s connectivity. ‘So given the fact that there is already an active outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, and Kisumu is part of the transport corridor with a lot of truck drivers coming here for fuel and buses using these routes, Kisumu really faces a high risk. In fact, the national government has classified Kisumu under counties with a very high risk of transmission of Ebola,’ he said.
The constant movement of people and goods has long powered Kisumu’s economy, but health experts warn that the same connectivity presents a challenge in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Ebola is a severe viral disease spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Early symptoms often resemble malaria or influenza, making detection difficult in the initial stages.
Dr. Ganda stated that health officials have been trained to look out for anyone who develops such symptoms, particularly after travelling to affected regions or coming into contact with suspected cases. The county has activated surveillance systems at health facilities and key points of entry, including Kisumu International Airport, major bus parks and Lake Victoria landing beaches.
The CECM also noted that at least five suspected Ebola cases have been tested since regional outbreaks were reported, with all samples returning negative results. Port Health teams are conducting screening at Kisumu International Airport, while surveillance has been extended to cross-border bus terminals, lakeside beaches and high-traffic trading zones such as the Usoma area.
Public health officers have been deployed to monitor and screen individuals considered at greater risk of exposure. The county has meanwhile activated rapid response teams at county and sub-county levels and is training health personnel on case identification, specimen collection, testing protocols and isolation procedures.
To strengthen preparedness, the county is working with Level Four hospitals to establish isolation units across all sub-counties. ‘We are working with our level four facilities to set up isolation units within each sub-county. We are also mobilizing PPEs. We have some stocks left over from the COVID response, but they are not adequate in case of an outbreak, so we are mobilizing more,’ Dr. Ganda said.
The county has established laboratory collaborations that would allow suspected Ebola samples to be transported and tested within hours. Samples are also transported to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratories for testing, enabling rapid diagnosis and response. Should a suspected case emerge, trained response teams would be deployed immediately, drawing on expertise gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kisumu is also working closely with neighbouring counties, the National Public Health Institute, the Ministry of Health and international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen surveillance and response systems. Despite the heightened alert, the county has not yet received additional funding specifically earmarked for Ebola preparedness.
Dr. Ganda assured residents that Kisumu remains Ebola-free and that health authorities are prepared to respond should the situation change. He noted that lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly strengthened the county’s preparedness, particularly in infection prevention and control, isolation management and safe burial practices. However, informal cross-border entry points remain a concern because of limited screening and monitoring mechanisms. The county is working to expand surveillance in such areas to close potential gaps in detection.
