Kenya Denies Plans for an Ebola Facility for Americans Affected

(SeaPRwire) –   The U.S. strategy for handling Americans potentially exposed to Ebola in the ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda involves initial assessment at a new facility constructed in Kenya.

However, a Kenyan high court halted the facility’s planned May 29 opening. The court’s injunction followed a petition from a Kenyan civil society organization challenging the facility’s legality, as reported by the New York Times. Local health organizations have also objected, arguing the facility would cater exclusively to American citizens and not serve Kenyans.

During a May 28 press briefing—prior to the court’s block—senior White House officials stated the U.S. government collaborated with Kenyan authorities to set up the facility at Laikipia Air Base. Described as a camp, it was intended to quarantine potentially exposed Americans for symptom monitoring. The site was also prepared to soon incorporate biocontainment capabilities for any individuals who tested positive or became symptomatic.

The quarantine camp has 50 beds. The government is also delivering three isolation units with a four-patient capacity each and two containment units for two patients apiece. Officials explained these isolation and biocontainment units are for temporary care of positive or symptomatic individuals until they can be moved to other treatment centers.

According to the officials, those subsequent facilities are expected to be in Europe, not the United States. Approximately 36 public health officers have been sent to Kenya to operate the quarantine and isolation units, including personnel from the 2014 West Africa Ebola response.

The officials stated the facilities will be equipped with the most recent monoclonal antibody therapies, the antiviral drug remdesivir, and respiratory and hydration support for patients who contract the disease.

Nevertheless, some public health experts have condemned the approach of conducting triage in Africa and depending on European centers for higher-level care of affected Americans. In a statement, Dr. Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Disease Society of America, called the plan “deeply concerning” and said it “raises serious questions about resources, timing and the level of care Americans sent there will receive.” Other health authorities concurred, questioning whether care from deployed staff in a temporary setting could equal that from specialists at U.S. facilities.

White House officials defended the strategy, explaining that routing ill citizens to European facilities instead of the U.S. was intended to secure the fastest access to care. During the 2014 West Africa outbreak, the U.S. evacuated affected healthcare workers back to the United States for treatment.