CS Aden Duale: There's no Ebola outbreak in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya - The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has issued an urgent advisory to pharmacists across the country, urging them to remain vigilant as Kenya reports its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease. Pharmacists are being advised to heighten their awareness of potential Ebola symptoms in patients, recognize the critical role they play in the early detection of the virus, and activate appropriate referral and public health procedures when necessary.

Pharmacists are encouraged to educate their teams about the early symptoms of Ebola, such as fever, severe weakness, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and possible exposure to the virus through recent travel or contact with infected individuals. The PSK emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion when dealing with patients displaying these symptoms, while emphasizing the need to avoid unnecessary physical contact with suspected cases.

The society has also stressed the importance of hand hygiene, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and the safe handling of patients. Pharmacists are instructed to refrain from attempting to manage suspected Ebola cases themselves, instead ensuring that a suspected patient is safely separated from others and that the appropriate referral process is triggered. The PSK warns against unnecessary transfers of potentially infectious patients between pharmacies or health facilities without proper coordination.

Pharmacies are directed to promptly engage public health and disease surveillance authorities, following Ministry of Health guidelines, and to use the toll-free 719 hotline for official information. Pharmacy owners and managers are advised to brief all personnel, including administrative staff and support workers, on the procedures to follow in the event of a suspected Ebola case.

The PSK emphasizes the importance of patient confidentiality and urges pharmacy teams to avoid sharing personal information about suspected patients on social media. The advisory comes as health authorities intensify surveillance and contact tracing efforts following the confirmation of the imported Ebola case in Kenya. The government is working to trace individuals who may have come into contact with the patient in an effort to prevent further transmission.