Seven US aid workers quarantined at Nanyuki Ebola‑isolation facility

Seven American aid workers who had been fighting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are being quarantined at the US isolation facility in Nanyuki.

This was first confirmed by a Reuters report on Friday, which said the aid workers are the first people to quarantine at the facility. The site sparked widespread opposition and protests in Kenya when news of its construction emerged, and its operations had been suspended by the High Court pending hearing and determination of a suit filed by Katiba Institute.

The Reuters report cited Franklin Graham, President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, who told the agency that none of the workers has symptoms, but they are being quarantined by the Kenyan government for 21 days.

“Samaritan’s Purse has seven American Disaster Assistance Response Team staff members there," Graham is quoted as saying.

The report further cites a US State Department official who told Reuters that a group of asymptomatic Americans who had served on the front lines of the Ebola response had allegedly voluntarily moved to the Kenya facility for precautionary monitoring and isolation.

"Kenyan authorities have authorised their movement into the facility under the observation of the US Public Health Service clinicians," the official said, adding that the decision was taken "strictly out of an abundance of caution."

The US Embassy in Nairobi referred The Eastleigh Voice to Washington when contacted for comment.

The development comes as the US government, on Tuesday, introduced new travel restrictions, making it mandatory for American citizens returning from the DRC to spend three weeks in a third country before entering the US.

It also comes weeks after Health CS Aden Duale told the High Court in Milimani that activities at the proposed site inside Laikipia Air Base had been stopped in accordance with the court order.

“Another source familiar with the matter, who asked for anonymity, said ⁠that the group had arrived at the site in central Kenya on Monday and was sleeping in army cots in tents. He said some had worked as medics treating Ebola patients at the Christian aid group's treatment centres, but others had worked in other functions with ⁠no direct contact with the sick, such as construction,” the Reuters report notes.

The US Embassy on July 3 said the bio‑isolation facility is part of a holistic response to prevent the spread of the disease and lessen health risks for the region, affirming that it does not pose a risk to nearby communities.

"Beyond Laikipia, we are working with Kenya to enhance border detection, provide accurate testing, and bolster the response in high‑risk counties. Expanding regional capacity to isolate and test asymptomatic individuals, including Americans working on the response effort, will enhance Kenya’s readiness and preserve Kenya’s existing clinical resources to assist Kenyan citizens," the Embassy said.

On Tuesday last week, the US Embassy shared a fact sheet saying America is assisting Kenya with detection, preparation and response to the virus by supporting disease surveillance to serve as early warning systems, enabling health authorities to rapidly detect potential threats, outbreak investigation, laboratory testing, and contact tracing.

Healthcare workers are also receiving training in infection prevention and control, procurement of laboratory supplies, facility preparedness, risk communication and community engagement, EOCs activation, and public health screening at points of entry and in high‑risk areas.

The support extends to testing of suspected cases, supporting Ebola Treatment Units and Isolation Centres, rapid response teams, enhancing risk communication and community engagement, and other efforts that enable a coordinated response during public health emergencies.

“In today’s interconnected world, an infectious disease threat anywhere can quickly become a global threat. Investing in preparedness helps stop outbreaks early, before they spread, safeguarding lives, economic security, and regional stability. Together, the US and Kenya are strengthening the systems needed to prevent, detect, and respond to today's Ebola threat while building a more resilient public health system for future health emergencies,” the Embassy added.

As of July 9, the US had committed Sh1.9 billion towards supporting Kenya’s preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and enhancing the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to potential outbreaks.