NAIROBI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has discharged all surviving Ebola patients and released its final monitored contacts after 21 symptom-free days, authorities said Wednesday.
At a news conference in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said that all seven surviving patients have fully recovered and been discharged, and that all 11 identified contacts have completed their monitoring period.
"For the first time since this outbreak began, Kenya has no patient under treatment and no contact in quarantine. This is not the victory of one person or one institution. It is a triumph of collaboration, cooperation and partnership," Duale said.
He announced that Kenya will begin its official 42-day countdown toward an Ebola-free declaration on Thursday, noting that pending no new cases, the declaration is expected on or about Dec. 23.
Duale said the milestone comes on the 37th day after Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo Virus Disease case on Oct. 6.
The index case involved a Kenyan traveler who traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda before arriving in Kenya, where the patient subsequently tested positive and died.
Through surveillance and contact tracing, health officials successfully identified and monitored all 135 contacts linked to the index case.
All nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, were contained within a single transmission cluster, with no community transmission recorded, he said.
During the 42-day countdown, Duale said, the Ministry of Health will maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness nationwide.
"Let me be clear: the countdown is not the end of the response. During these 42 days, heightened vigilance will continue," he said.
Duale said rapid response teams will stay on alert, backed by active facility- and community-based monitoring, prompt outbreak investigations, screening at points of entry and ongoing care for survivors.
Duale reassured the public that Kenya remains open for business, tourism, trade and travel, with no restrictions on movement or public gatherings.
He urged foreign jurisdictions to lift travel and visa restrictions, emphasizing that Kenya's transparent reporting and adherence to international health regulations should not be met with punitive measures.
Duale urged Kenyans to remain vigilant during the 42-day countdown, adding that anyone experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, especially after traveling to affected areas, is advised to seek immediate medical attention or call the toll-free hotline 719 for assistance.
Health authorities have screened over 760,000 travelers across Kenya's 26 entry points to date, Duale said, and confirmed that port screening will continue alongside routine health facility and community surveillance, with all alerts promptly investigated and survivors receiving ongoing care and support.
He said the ministry's incident management teams will conduct an initial review to evaluate the emergency response, identify operational gaps and outline immediate improvements.
"A full after-action review will follow once the outbreak is declared over. The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains active, and the risk of importation is real. To Kenyans living or traveling in the DRC and other affected areas who wish to return home: you are welcome home," Duale said. ■