Kenya Court Suspends U.S. Plan for Ebola Quarantine Facility for Americans
The Story
A Kenyan court has suspended a U.S. plan to build a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola, following backlash from medical workers and activists. The High Court in Nairobi halted any deal on the facility until petitions against it are heard on Tuesday. The U.S. had intended to send exposed Americans to Kenya instead of flying them home, but details of the location and Kenyan government approval remain unclear.
Key Facts
- The High Court in Nairobi on Friday suspended a U.S. plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for Americans in Kenya.
- A U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously on Wednesday, said the U.S. was planning to send Americans exposed to Ebola abroad to a new facility in Kenya.
- It is unclear where in Kenya the facility will be built or whether the Kenyan government signed off on the plan.
- The Kenyan government only revealed discussions with the U.S. on support for Ebola preparedness, not the facility.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. intends to commit $13.5 million toward Kenya’s Ebola preparedness.
- Katiba Institute and the Kenya Law Society separately challenged any presence of Ebola-related facilities.
- The Kenya Law Society asked the court to nullify any signed agreements, citing public health risks and a lack of public participation, and said Kenya lacks high-containment infrastructure.
- The Kenyan doctors’ union issued a 48-hour strike notice should the deal proceed, with chairperson Davji Atellah calling the plan a “dumping ground.”
- In northeastern Congo, an outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus (a type of Ebola with no approved treatment or vaccine) has more than 1,000 suspected cases and at least 220 deaths since May 15.
- The virus has also reached Uganda, which has confirmed seven cases and one death.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
Where in Kenya the facility would be built and whether the Kenyan government approved the plan. The full extent of the Ebola outbreak is also unclear, as the World Health Organization suspects it is much larger than reported.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Davji Atellah, chairperson of the Kenyan doctors’ union
- Katiba Institute
- Kenya Law Society
Sources: statnews.com
