Ebola and El Niño are the twin grave challenges threatening to ravage the country. Although preparations have been made to mitigate the devastating consequences of the above-average El Niño rainfall that has been predicted, the first confirmed Ebola death has come as a big shock.
There have been fears that the deadly virus that has killed more than 4,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since May could easily be imported, hence the increased surveillance at the borders and airports. But the news of the sudden arrival back home from the DRC through Uganda of an infected Kenyan has been more chilling.
The Ministry of Health’s confirmation of the first Ebola death has compounded fears as the country prepares for an extremely strong El Niño season. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged Kenyans not to panic, assuring all that systems are in place to mitigate the grave risk. But this issue has raised more questions than answers. Top of mind is how the person was able to travel by road from DRC to Uganda hundreds of kilometres before boarding a flight to Kenya with the virus not detected.
He tested positive in Nairobi for the highly infectious Bundibugyo strain of the virus. However, the Health authorities are saying that all the protocols have been followed, including a quick private burial. And now, the people who may have had any contact with the seriously ill man before he succumbed are being traced, and quite a number have been isolated.
The shock of this deadly importation comes at a tricky moment. The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted above-average rainfall across 80 per cent of the country that threatens to trigger widespread flooding and deeply hamper emergency response.
The extreme weather emergencies and Ebola also pose a monumental test for the public health system. The expected heavy floods will damage infrastructure, including roads, and could rapidly accelerate the spread of the viral disease. Urgent comprehensive measures are required to mitigate grave danger.
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