By Ginika Igboke
The Trump administration is coordinating with Kenya and international partners to establish a quarantine facility for individuals believed to have been exposed to Ebola, according to a U.S. administration official speaking on May 27.
The official said the effort is part of a broader multinational response to a worsening Ebola outbreak in central Africa that has already resulted in more than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases.
“As part of a coordinated multi-national response to the worsening Ebola health emergency, the U.S. government is working with the Government of Kenya and other partners to plan for a facility for asymptomatic individuals suspected of exposure to the Ebola virus,” the official said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity and did not provide additional details regarding the location, size, or operational timeline of the proposed facility.
Outbreak Continues to Spread Across Central Africa
Most confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in Democratic Republic of the Congo, while neighboring Uganda has confirmed several infections.
No Ebola cases have been officially reported in Kenya so far, although Kenyan authorities have heightened monitoring and preparedness efforts due to the country’s regional connections and transportation networks.
The United States Department of Defense declined to comment further on the reported quarantine initiative, while the United States Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kenya Confirms Discussions on Ebola Preparedness
Kenyan Health Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that Nairobi is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States and other international partners regarding Ebola preparedness and response measures.
In a statement released Wednesday, Duale said Kenya remains focused on strengthening public health systems and emergency response capabilities.
“Any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, biosafety and biosecurity standards,” the statement said.
While Kenyan officials did not specifically reference plans for a quarantine facility, the government acknowledged active international coordination related to the outbreak.
American Doctors Receive Treatment After Ebola Exposure
Several American medical workers exposed to Ebola while serving in Congo have been transferred abroad for treatment and monitoring.
Dr. Peter Stafford contracted Ebola earlier this month while treating patients at a hospital in Congo. He, along with his wife and four children, was transported to a hospital in Berlin for medical care.
Another American physician, Dr. Patrick LaRochelle, was transferred to a hospital in Prague after possible exposure to the virus.
Stafford later said he feared he might not survive before arriving in Germany.
The international Christian medical organization Serge, which supports the doctors’ work, said Stafford was receiving advanced medical treatment while LaRochelle remained asymptomatic as of May 24.
Doctors Report Signs of Improvement
Leif Erik Sander, who oversees infectious disease treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital, told reporters that Stafford’s condition had gradually stabilized after receiving antiviral therapy.
Sander also confirmed that Stafford’s wife and children had not shown symptoms of Ebola infection.
Medical officials have not publicly disclosed the specific antiviral treatment being used.
US Expands Measures to Prevent Ebola Spread
The U.S. government has implemented several emergency measures intended to prevent the outbreak from spreading internationally and reaching American soil.
Those actions include issuing travel warnings advising Americans not to visit Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan during the outbreak.
The administration has also temporarily restricted entry for certain travelers who have recently been in affected countries within the previous 21 days, particularly individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting on May 27 that the administration is taking aggressive steps to stop Ebola from entering the United States.
“We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,” Rubio said.
He noted that federal agencies have deployed additional personnel to central Africa, especially in Congo, to help contain the outbreak and monitor potential transmission risks.
Rubio added that multiple agencies are actively tracking possible exposures and screening travelers to reduce the chances of Ebola reaching the United States.
“Americans should feel assured that the president and his administration is doing everything we can to protect them on that front,” he said.