Kenya calls for border checks amid risk of ebola spread

THE number of ebola cases in three West African countries as at July 23 stands at 1201, including 672 deaths. The revelation comes amid heightened fear that Kenya risks falling victim to the deadly disease that has rocked Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

A government circular sent out yesterday to county health directors has called for surveillance at all border points. “I am emailing you an important communiqué from the Ministry of Health addressing the increasing risk of Ebola Viral Disease that this country faces,” reads the letter sent by the acting head of disease surveillance and response, O-tipo Shikanga.

A US doctor working with ebola patients in Liberia is among the lat- est victims of the deadly virus. This is according to an aid organisation, Samaritan’s Purse, that is based in the country.

A Liberian man died on Sunday upon landing in Lagos. He is reported to have boarded the plane despite having a high fever that resulted in his vomiting aboard the aircraft.

Nigerian health officials are said to be taking precautions as other passengers in the plane that was carrying the passenger could “take the disease beyond Africa due to weak inspection and the fact that ebola’s symptoms are similar to other diseases such as malaria and typhoid”.

Shikanga has however sought to allay public fears of the attack, but cautioned that safety measures have to be stepped up to prevent any occurrence. “We are at risk and are not taking any chances,” he said.