Daijiworld Media Network - Nairobi
Nairobi, Oct 9: India has expressed solidarity with Kenya in its efforts to combat Ebola virus disease and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s public health preparedness and response.
“India stands in solidarity with Kenya in its efforts to combat Ebola Virus Disease. We remain committed to supporting Kenya’s public health preparedness and response, and to further strengthening our longstanding partnership in healthcare,” the High Commission of India in Kenya stated on X on Thursday.
The statement came after Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed an imported Ebola case involving a traveller from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who died on October 6, 2026.
“Kenya remains safe, open and vigilant following confirmation of an imported Ebola case involving a traveller from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who died on 6 October 2026,” the ministry stated on X.
As part of the response, India provided 6,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to support Kenya’s efforts to contain the disease.
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale gave the assurance during a high-level engagement with members of the diplomatic corps, international organisations and development partners.
Duale briefed the participants on Kenya’s preparedness measures and ongoing response, emphasising that a single imported case did not indicate widespread transmission in the country.
“The response continues to be guided by verified epidemiological information, scientific evidence and established public health protocols,” the ministry stated.
The ministry said the National Incident Management System had been operational since May 2026, with national and county emergency response structures placed on high alert.
Surveillance has been intensified at healthcare facilities and in communities, with rapid response teams investigating alerts and monitoring potential threats.
A total of 4,971 health workers have been trained in Ebola preparedness and response, while screening continues at 15 points of entry. More than 652,000 travellers have been screened as part of the preventive measures.
The ministry said the response had been strengthened through the mobilisation of infection prevention and control supplies and personal protective equipment.
The support includes 1,000 PPE sets donated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and 6,000 provided by the Government of India, along with resources committed by the Kenyan government.
Further assistance has come from the WHO, the United States government, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other development partners.