Flight bans from Ebola-hit countries will stay in effect, Kenya tells AU September 17, 2014 The Kenyan government has declined to comply with a request from the African Union to resume flights to and from Ebola-effected countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, Kenyas Capital FM reported Tuesday (September 16th). Kenya announced a ban on travellers from the three West African countries on August 19th, and grounded flights on those routes. We have a protocol on how to lift the ban and it is a health protocol. Once we are satisfied that it is okay to lift it, then we will do it. For now, we have not done so, Principal Secretary for Health Khalifa Kasachoon said, speaking at regional meeting on emergency preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak. Kenya is monitoring the Ebola epidemic in the six countries that have recorded cases, and it is re-assessing its policies weekly, Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri said. So far we are not convinced that the risk level has lowered and therefore the ban stays. When the appropriate time comes, we either reduce the number of countries with travel bans or even extend beyond the initial three countries, he said. WHO epidemiologist Benido Impouma said that there was no need for the ban to remain in place if Kenya had adequate surveillance measures at all 31 of its ports of entry. The regional meeting, held Tuesday and Wednesday, was called so stakeholders could form a regional action plan to address the Ebola outbreak, said Transport Principal Secretary Nduva Muli. The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 2,400 people, according to the United Nation.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 09:24:53 +0000
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