Kenyan health authorities have explained how the country’s first confirmed Ebola patient may have passed through screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) before travelling to Nairobi Hospital, where he was later diagnosed with the virus.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the patient travelled from north-western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Entebbe, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi. He underwent routine screening at JKIA using an automated thermo-scanner.
However, Amoth said health officials believe the patient may have taken medication to lower his body temperature, potentially masking one of the key symptoms of Ebola and allowing him to pass through screening.
“We postulate that this patient took some medication to be able to mask some of his symptoms, including lowering his temperature and therefore could pass through,” Amoth said.
The patient then left the airport and contacted a relative, who took him directly to Nairobi Hospital, where he was later diagnosed with Ebola.
Amoth said more than 650,000 travellers have so far been screened at Kenya’s 15 designated points of entry as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
He urged anyone experiencing suspected Ebola symptoms or who believes they may have been exposed to immediately call the government’s toll-free 719 hotline.
“The best thing to do is to call our line, 719, toll-free number, and our team will be able to pick you up wherever you are,” he said.
Amoth said the Bundibugyo strain is one of three Ebola virus species associated with major outbreaks, alongside the Zaire and Sudan strains.
Unlike the Zaire strain, Bundibugyo has no vaccine or specific treatment, making early detection, reporting and supportive care critical in improving survival chances.
