Written By:Judith Akolo, Posted: Wed, Aug 01,
The government has clarified that Kenya is free
of the Ebola fever that has hit the Western part of Uganda in Kibaale.
Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of
Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Willis Akhwale said surveillance is still
heightened at all boarder points and urged the public to remain calm but
cautious whenever they suspect any case as being that of the Ebola Hemorrhagic
Fever.
But even as the government moved to forestall fears
that the hemorrhagic fever could hit the country the public in Siaya were on the
edge with fear after a patient presented Ebola like symptoms at the Siaya
District Hospital.
The Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of
Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Willis Akhwale however allayed fears
saying samples taken from the patient have been brought to for testing adding
that preliminary investigations on the patient had ruled out Ebola since the
patient did not present high fever as is usually the case with Ebola
cases.
"The patient has not presented high fever but we are not taking
anything to chance, we have quarantined the patient as samples are tested to
ascertain the nature of illness," said Dr Willis Akhwale.
Dr. Akhwale said the government remains on high alert and has
dispatched equipment and other medical gear to medics operating at the boarder
points with Uganda to ensure that diagnosis of any suspected cases and screening
is done effectively.
"There is no cause for alarm since of all the 25 epidemics of
Ebola that have affected neighbouring countries in the last 36 years, Kenya has
always remained free of the hemorrhagic fever,
" said Dr. Akhwale. ...
" said Dr. Akhwale. ...