Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale./FILE

The Ministry of Health has joined Kenya’s protest against travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia over the Ebola situation, describing the measures as excessive and unsupported by the country’s epidemiological situation.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya had contained the outbreak within a single cluster linked to an imported case, with no evidence of community transmission and no new infections reported since October 19.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Duale said the country had traced all 135 contacts linked to the index case and placed 118 of them under quarantine as part of efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.

“For avoidance of doubt, our index case was imported, and we quickly listed and traced all the 135 contacts (100%) related to the case. In addition, we went ahead to place 118 contacts under quarantine,” he said.

The CS said all eight confirmed cases were linked to the index case, comprising four healthcare workers and four close family members.

“We have NOT had any transmission of the disease outside this cluster, and I reiterate we have NO evidence of community transmission,” Duale said.

He said the disease had claimed two lives, including the index case, while seven patients remained under medical care and were progressing well.

Five of the seven patients had returned a first negative Ebola test after completing treatment and were awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2.

Duale said the Ministry was optimistic that the five would be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 contacts who remained under quarantine but had not developed symptoms.

The 46 contacts are in addition to 20 people who had already been released from quarantine.

“We are optimistic they will go home on Tuesday 3rd Nov together with an additional 46 contacts under quarantine who have not developed any symptoms to date,” he said.

The CS said the progress demonstrated that Kenya’s response was working and that the outbreak was nearing an end.

“This clearly demonstrates that our response is holding and will soon deliver spectacular results,” he said.

The Ministry’s statement comes as the government steps up diplomatic efforts to persuade Saudi Arabia to review and lift restrictions imposed over the outbreak.

Saudi Arabia announced measures suspending travel to and arrivals from Kenya, including visa restrictions and a ban on people who had been in the country during the preceding 21 days.

Kenya has protested the decision, arguing that the restrictions are disproportionate and not supported by scientific evidence.

Duale said the measures did not reflect the progress made in containing the outbreak and called on the international community to support Kenya’s response rather than isolate the country.

“Kenya has demonstrated leadership, Kenya has demonstrated transparency, what we require from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, not travel restrictions and certainly not isolation,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs would continue engaging Saudi Arabia on the matter.

‎The CS also thanked Kenyans for their cooperation during the outbreak, urging continued unity as health authorities work to complete treatment and monitoring of the remaining patients and contacts.