The Trump administration is planning to send Americans who are exposed to Ebola to a new facility in Kenya instead of flying them to the United States, an administration official said Wednesday.
New Quarantine and Treatment Center
The quarantine and treatment centre being established by the Departments of Defense, State, and Health and Human Services will be designed for Ebola patients who need to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo and receive care swiftly, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share the administration’s plans. The source indicated that this strategy would help patients avoid a lengthy medical evacuation to the US, which can take hours.
It was not immediately clear where in Kenya the new facility will be constructed or whether the Kenyan government has approved the plan. The official stated that the facility will be capable of managing the full spectrum of Ebola, a rare but severe disease that is often fatal in humans. However, they noted that individuals may be transferred elsewhere for more advanced care as necessary.
Outbreak Situation in Congo
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been struggling to contain the outbreak, which the World Health Organization has said is outpacing their efforts. This comes after the rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola was confirmed weeks late, as tests were initially conducted for a more common strain.
The number of suspected Ebola cases in eastern Congo is approaching 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths. Congo’s health ministry reported on Tuesday that 101 cases have been confirmed, and they are investigating over 3,000 possible contacts.
Challenges in Containment
Challenges include the threat of armed groups in eastern Congo, a large number of displaced people, and poor infrastructure, all of which complicate efforts to stem the spread of the virus.
