US sets up Ebola quarantine centre in Kenya to keep cases out of America

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Washington DC: The United States is setting up a quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola, as the Trump administration moves to prevent infected patients from entering U.S. territory during a growing outbreak in Africa.

U.S. officials said Americans exposed to the virus but not yet showing symptoms will be monitored at a new facility at Laikipia Air Base in central Kenya. If they later develop symptoms, they will be transferred to third countries for treatment instead of being flown to the United States.

The policy marks a major shift from past Ebola outbreaks, when infected Americans were treated at specialised hospitals inside the U.S.

The move comes after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola an international emergency. More than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths have been reported, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Trump administration said its priority was to stop Ebola from reaching the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto about the outbreak and U.S. support efforts.

The facility, expected to open Friday, will initially include 50 beds along with isolation and biocontainment units staffed by U.S. medical teams.

The policy has drawn criticism from some public health experts, who argue patients would receive better care in advanced infectious disease centres in the U.S. or Europe.

Pic Credit: AFP