NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government on Friday assured the public that the country remains free of Ebola following intensified surveillance measures.
Aden Duale, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Health, said that all suspected cases have tested negative and urged citizens to remain vigilant as the government aggressively scales up its national disease surveillance and response systems.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, Duale called for continued collaboration with the media to combat misinformation.
He also urged healthcare workers to maintain high vigilance, adhere to infection prevention protocols, and promptly report suspected cases, calling on county governments to sustain investments in disease surveillance, rapid response units, medical training, and public communication.
He said that Kenya is closely monitoring regional Ebola developments and has enhanced surveillance, screening at points of entry, laboratory readiness, healthcare worker training, risk communication, and isolation and treatment capacity to support a rapid response if needed.
Addressing concerns about preparedness facilities in counties across the country, Duale clarified that these measures are precautionary and do not indicate the presence of an outbreak.
"Preparedness should never be mistaken for panic," he said, emphasizing that effective emergency response depends on actions taken before a crisis occurs.
Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness that can cause symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. ■