A Kenyan court on Tuesday extended an order blocking a proposed US Ebola quarantine center for US citizens.
A controversial plan to build a 50-bed center at an airport in the central city of Nanyuki sparked protests this week. Hundreds of people clashed with security forces near the site, arguing they could have been exposed to Ebola.
Kenyan President William Ruto said, “I can assure the people of Kenya that the agreement between the Government of Kenya and the US Government is for the good of our country and a partnership.” “We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. So people should relax.”
Last week, a court temporarily suspended plans for the facility after an advocacy group filed a lawsuit accusing the center of being constructed in secret.
On Tuesday, Kenyan High Court Judge Patricia Nyoundi issued an order barring the Kenyan government from taking any further steps to resume operations at the facility before the case is resolved. He also ordered the government to disclose its agreement with Washington within seven days.
What is the proposed facility?
The quarantine center at Laikipia Air Base, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the capital Nairobi, was scheduled to open last week, according to US officials.
The plan angered some Kenyans when the administration of US President Donald Trump said it “cannot and will not allow” any cases of Ebola to enter the US, and instead they would be isolated in Kenya.
The proposed center in Nanyuki would be run by US medical staff and would be used to treat Americans who have been exposed to the virus in Central Africa but are not showing symptoms. According to US officials, patients who show symptoms will be sent to other countries for care.
No cases of Ebola have been recorded in Kenya, but neighboring Uganda has recorded several cases and one death since the outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in mid-May.
WHO revises cases and deaths
Health workers are working to contain the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in eastern Congo, with experts warning that the virus was likely circulating unknown for several weeks before the first cases were confirmed.
After putting the number of suspected cases at more than 900 last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday revised that number down to 116. She said there are now 330 confirmed cases.
Asked about the steep decline, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said many cases had been “removed” after being shown to be other diseases or unlinked fevers.
There have been 48 deaths from the virus in Congo and one death in neighboring Uganda, he said.
Main airport opened in Ituri
Meanwhile, a government statement said the main airport in Ituri, the eastern Congolese province hardest hit by the outbreak, reopened on Tuesday after a 10-day closure.
Authorities suspended all passenger flights to and from the airport in the provincial capital Bunia on May 23, citing security concerns. Only medical and humanitarian flights were allowed to continue.
The transport ministry said authorities have assessed how the outbreak is being monitored and decided that “conditions are now ready for flights to gradually and safely resume.”
The ministry said all passengers will be screened for their body temperatures before boarding and upon arrival. It added that passengers will also be required to wash hands before travelling.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn