NAIROBI, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Health experts on Wednesday urged Kenyan authorities to prioritize enhanced border surveillance, rapid contact tracing, early warning systems, and stronger protection for frontline healthcare workers to prevent the further spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
"We must fill gaps in border surveillance, identify suspected cases and connect them to appropriate care. Early identification should prioritize patient safety and prevention of further transmission," Githinji Gitahi, global chief executive officer of Amref Health Africa, said during the closing of the Africa Health Collaborative Annual Convening 2026.
The call comes after the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday that Kenya's confirmed cases had risen to nine, including one death, and that all of them belong to a single cluster with no evidence of transmission beyond it.
During the five-day conference, discussions focused on overcoming mounting challenges across the continent, including recurrent disease outbreaks, tightening fiscal constraints, and critical skill shortages.
Patrick Amoth, director-general for health in the Ministry of Health, said on Tuesday that all eight surviving patients are receiving appropriate supportive care from specialized medical teams.
He said the public health authorities have successfully traced and quarantined 134 out of 135 identified contacts connected to the cluster.
He clarified that zero secondary transmission has occurred within quarantine facilities, as health officials continue to refine infection prevention and control protocols at dedicated treatment centers.
Gitahi stressed that building a resilient, community-centered healthcare system is crucial to protecting citizens from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
"Strengthening primary healthcare would improve access to timely services like treatment and prevent Ebola virus from spreading within communities," Gitahi said.
Joachim Osur, vice chancellor of Amref International University, emphasized that strengthening Kenya's public health security through technology, innovation, sustainable financing, research, and specialized training holds the key to an effective response to the Ebola threat.
According to Osur, leveraging advanced digital tools and modern healthcare innovations will allow authorities to enhance patient tracking, early identification, and clinical management while effectively severing transmission chains. ■