US to set up Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya for exposed American citizens

The United States is establishing a quarantine facility in Kenya to monitor and treat American citizens exposed to Ebola, as health authorities respond to a rapidly escalating outbreak of the deadly virus in Africa.

Senior US administration officials said on Thursday that the facility will house high-risk Americans who may have been exposed to Ebola but are not yet showing symptoms. Officials added that individuals who later develop symptoms will not be transported to the United States.

Instead, symptomatic patients requiring evacuation will be transferred to third countries for treatment and advanced medical care.

The announcement comes after the World Health Organization earlier this month declared the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern. The strain currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

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According to health officials, more than 900 suspected infections and over 200 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak have already been reported.

US officials said the Kenya-based centre, approved by the Kenyan government, is expected to become operational on Friday with an initial capacity of 50 beds.

Plans are also underway to add two specialised biocontainment units capable of housing two patients each, along with three isolation units that can accommodate four patients per ward.

The facility will not only serve as a quarantine centre for asymptomatic individuals but will also provide supportive medical care for Americans who begin developing symptoms before they are moved elsewhere for further treatment.

Officials stressed that the decision not to evacuate Ebola patients to the US was based on logistical and public health considerations rather than political factors.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier said Washington would not allow Ebola cases to enter the country.

“We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,” Rubio said on Wednesday.

Last week, the US also imposed new entry restrictions on travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the past 21 days, including lawful permanent residents or green card holders.

The latest measures reflect growing international concern over the outbreak as global health agencies attempt to contain further spread of the virus.

With inputs from agencies