Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi addressing residents in Wajir town on Thursday /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Residents
of Wajir county can breath with a sign of relief after tests on a 20-year-old
man suspected of Ebola returned negative results, easing fears of
a possible outbreak in the county.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said preliminary laboratory results had ruled out
Ebola in the patient. He had been isolated at Habaswein Subcounty Hospital in
Wajir South after presenting with a severe febrile illness and a history of
travel from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda.
In a
statement issued on Thursday, Governor Abdullahi said health
officials had acted swiftly after the patient’s clinical presentation and
travel history raised concerns, triggering precautionary measures in line with
established public health protocols.
“I am
pleased to report that the preliminary laboratory results indicate that the
sample is negative for Ebola Virus Disease,” the governor said.
The
results offer relief to residents and health authorities who had been
monitoring the case amid concerns over the possibility of importing the deadly
viral disease through cross-border travel.
However,
the county government said the patient would continue to receive medical care
and be monitored by health officials as they follow established public health
procedures.
The governor commended health workers at Habaswein Subcounty Hospital, county medical services, public health and sanitation officials and the Ministry
of Health for their vigilance and prompt response.
“Their
action demonstrates that Wajir county is ready and able to respond to public
health threats,” Abdullahi said.
The
governor also cautioned residents against spreading unverified information
about the case, warning that speculation could cause unnecessary fear and
panic.
He urged
the public to rely on official updates from the county government and the
Ministry of Health, while encouraging anyone experiencing unusual signs of
illness to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.
The
suspected case had raised concern because of the patient’s recent movements
across several countries before arriving in Wajir.
The man who hails from
Habaswein, reportedly developed fever and headache on September 2 while in
the DRC, where he had been working as a turn boy on a cargo truck.
He
subsequently travelled by road through Uganda and entered Kenya via Malaba
before proceeding to Nairobi and Isiolo. He eventually arrived in Habaswein
around September 20.
After
becoming unwell, he sought treatment at Hilac Medical Clinic in Habaswein,
where he was reportedly treated for pneumonia and septicaemia for three days. His condition failed to improve, prompting his transfer to Albadar
Nursing Home for further medical attention.
At Albadar
Nursing Home, the patient was found to have severe anaemia, with a reported
haemoglobin level of four grammes per decilitre. He received two units of blood, alongside intravenous antibiotics and paracetamol, but remained
clinically unwell, prompting further assessment and precautionary isolation.
His severe
illness, coupled with his travel history from the DRC through Uganda, led
health workers to consider Ebola among the conditions requiring investigation
and to collect samples for specialised laboratory testing.
The
specimen was referred to the National Public Health Virology Laboratory in
Nairobi for analysis, with the preliminary results subsequently returning
negative for Ebola.
Although
the findings have eased immediate concerns over the suspected infection, the
county government has maintained that the patient will remain under medical
observation and receive appropriate care.
Wajir’s
health authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation in
coordination with the national government, while residents have been urged to
remain vigilant without resorting to alarm or spreading unconfirmed reports.
Abdullahi said timely reporting of unusual illnesses and reliance on
verified public health information remain critical in protecting communities
from potential health threats.
Ends…………..
Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi with other leaders in Wajir
town on Thursday. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Residents of Wajir going about their businesses./STEPHEN ASTARIKO.