Nandi County has heightened surveillance and activated preparedness measures following confirmation of Kenya’s first Ebola case, with health officials assuring residents that the county is ready to respond to any suspected infection.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation Dr. Angeline Kirui said the county had trained health workers who would handle suspected Ebola cases and established an isolation facility at Nandi Hills Sub-County Hospital.

Dr. Kirui said the county health department was closely monitoring residents for signs and symptoms of Ebola and other related illnesses following the announcement by the Ministry of Health.

She assured Nandi residents that the county had put measures in place to deal with any suspected case that could be reported.

“We want to tell our citizens, and especially the residents of Nandi County, that our county Department of Health is prepared to take care of any eventuality,” she said.

Dr. Kirui said health personnel had already been trained on Ebola preparedness and would be on the lookout for anyone presenting symptoms associated with the virus.

“We are on the lookout for any patient who may be having signs and symptoms of Ebola or any related illness,” she said.

She said the isolation facility at Nandi Hills Hospital would be used if a suspected case was identified, adding that the county was prepared to respond immediately.

“We already have trained personnel on Ebola preparedness. We also have an isolation facility in our Nandi Hills Hospital. In the event of any case being identified, we are already prepared,” Dr. Kirui said.

Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause severe illness and requires rapid detection, isolation and treatment of suspected cases to prevent its spread.

by Kosuri Valarie