Questions have emerged over how Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient passed through screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) before travelling to Nairobi Hospital, where he was later diagnosed with Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the patient underwent the normal screening process at JKIA but may have taken medication that lowered his temperature and masked some of his symptoms.
Amoth stressed that this was a hypothesis rather than a confirmed explanation for how the patient passed the screening. (Citizen)
“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. We think that is the reason he moved direct from the airport, called a relative to pick him to Nairobi Hospital. That is our hypothesis.”
Patient travelled from DRC through Uganda
The patient, a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years, arrived in Kenya on October 3 after travelling from the DRC to Kampala by road.
From Kampala, he boarded Jambojet flight 8523 to Nairobi, where he underwent the normal public health screening at JKIA.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the patient was picked up from the airport by a relative and taken to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated after presenting with symptoms of a viral haemorrhagic fever.
Amoth said Kenya had screened more than 650,000 travellers through 15 designated points of entry.
“So far, we have screened more than 650,000 travellers from our 15 designated points of entry. This patient came from North Western DRC up to Entebbe then took a flight to Nairobi. He underwent normal screening which is an automatic thermo-scanner,” Amoth said.
Health ministry urges truthful declarations
Amoth said screening at points of entry also depends on travellers providing accurate information on surveillance forms, including their travel history and symptoms.
He urged travellers to make truthful declarations, stressing that the information is intended to facilitate early identification and treatment rather than punish people.
“If we ask whether you’ve travelled to a particular place and you’ve done so, please indicate, it is not a punitive measure, it is to protect your health.”
He also urged anyone experiencing symptoms listed on the surveillance forms to declare them so health officials can provide assistance.
Patient had been ill for about a month
According to health officials, the patient had been unwell for about a month and had received treatment at several hospitals while in the DRC.
At Nairobi Hospital, he presented with fever, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at an injection site.
Medical tests subsequently confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. Despite supportive treatment, the patient died on Monday at 11:30pm. Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first Ebola case and death on October 6. (Citizen)
The government had already strengthened Ebola preparedness and screening at airports and other points of entry months before the case was confirmed. (Ministry of Health – Kenya)
28 contacts identified as tracing continues
The Ministry of Health has identified 28 people who interacted with the deceased, while 23 passengers and four crew members from the Jambojet flight are also being traced. (Citizen)
Amoth said the incubation period for Ebola ranges from two to 21 days, with many people developing symptoms within the first four to five days after exposure.
He urged anyone who develops symptoms or believes they may have been exposed to contact the 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,” Amoth said.
He cautioned people against using taxis, matatus or private vehicles when seeking assistance if they suspect they have Ebola, because of the risk of exposing other people.
“It is unsafe to be able to get into a taxi because of the risk of exposure. It is unsafe to get into a matatu or to be driven by a relative because of the potential for exposure,” he said.
What happens after Ebola exposure?
Amoth said survivors who remain symptom-free for 21 days can be cleared and should be reintegrated into society without stigma.
He also said infected mothers should avoid breastfeeding because of the potential risk of transmission.
For male survivors, health officials conduct monthly semen testing until two consecutive negative results are recorded before they can be advised to resume normal sexual relations.
