Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya, halted the issuance of visas to travellers from the country, and imposed an entry ban amid growing concerns over the spread of Ebola.

The restrictions come after an epidemiological assessment by Saudi health authorities, and will also apply to travelers arriving through other countries if they stayed in Kenya or another Ebola-affected country within the 21 days preceding their arrival.

“The restrictions were part of precautionary measures aimed at protecting citizens, residents and visitors from the risk of Ebola transmission,” Saudi authorities said. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced additional precautionary measures to mitigate risks associated with the Ebola virus, based on epidemiological assessments conducted by national health authorities.”

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has termed Saudi Arabia’s latest travel restrictions “extreme”, reaffirming that Kenya’s Ebola case was imported.

He says all 135 contacts were quickly identified and traced, and that the Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, will continue engaging Saudi authorities on the matter.

“The Ministry of Health-Kenya has noted with concern the extreme measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the Ebola situation in the country,” Duale says.

So far, there is no evidence of community transmission in Kenya, as CS Duale reveals that all eight confirmed cases were linked to the index case as either healthcare workers or close family members.

“The Ministry and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will continue to engage the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this matter,” Duale says.