Busia: The Principal Secretary for Health, Mary Muthoni, has urged residents of both Busia and Malaba borders to observe high levels of hygiene as a way of containing the Ebola disease. Speaking during an inspection tour of the two borders in terms of Ebola preparedness, Muthoni noted that the county’s proximity to the border exposes the local residents to high chances of contracting the disease.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muthoni emphasized that some African countries already have confirmed cases of Ebola, and due to the geographical position of Busia and Malaba, the risk of exposure is significant. She advised the local population to maintain high levels of hygiene and avoid non-essential travel to affected countries to protect themselves and help contain the disease.
Muthoni highlighted the heavy traffic at the two border points, with 400 trucks entering the country daily through Malaba and Busia, carrying between 1,500 and 2,000 people. She pointed out the importance of screening these individuals to ensure they are healthy upon entry, as they could be coming from countries with reported Ebola cases.
Efforts are being made to improve coordination between agencies operating at the border points, ensuring they are well-informed about the current situation. Muthoni stated that ongoing training for healthcare workers is crucial in preparing them to handle any potential cases, and public sensitization efforts are also in progress.
Additionally, Muthoni announced that weekly meetings will be held with truck drivers at the border points to provide them with more information on Ebola. She called for community collaboration, especially from those near the Ugandan border, to maintain high hygiene standards and seek medical attention when unwell, rather than resorting to self-medication.
The PS encouraged local residents to report individuals showing signs and symptoms of Ebola to health professionals or persuade them to visit health facilities for assessment. She assured that vigilance would be enhanced along the border and throughout the country, with more training opportunities for healthcare workers.
Muthoni also urged county governments to establish isolation centers and ensure their health workers are knowledgeable about Ebola. Despite 59 suspected cases in the country, no Ebola positive case has been reported so far.
