Saudi Arabia bans travel, visas for Kenya over Ebola fears

Nairobi, Kenya – On October 31, Saudi Arabia has put a stop to its citizens traveling to Kenya, halted visa issuance for Kenyan arrivals, and imposed an entry ban, all amid heightened concerns over the spread of Ebola. This decision came as Kenya grapples with a local outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, which has already resulted in two deaths and nine cases.

Saudi health officials conducted an assessment of the Ebola situation, leading to these precautionary measures, according to Saudi Gazette. Travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia, whether directly or via other Ebola-affected countries within 21 days, are affected by these restrictions, which also include the suspension of all visa issuance for Kenyan nationals.

The Saudi Public Health Authority, Weqaya, emphasized that the health situation in the Kingdom remains stable and is being closely monitored. Saudi Arabia has taken similar measures against Ebola-affected nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. As of October 30, Kenya reported nine Ebola cases, including two fatalities, linked to a single cluster that began when a Kenyan man traveled through Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nairobi.

Eight more individuals, including family members and healthcare workers, contracted the virus. Containment efforts appear to be showing some promise, with two of the seven patients in isolation testing negative and awaiting a repeat test after 72 hours, while the remaining five are reported to be stable. Kenya has also gone three days without a new confirmed case, with no evidence of community transmission.

The Ministry of Health has traced 135 contacts associated with the outbreak, with the first 20 completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and being cleared to return home on October 26. The remaining 98 contacts are expected to be released in phases starting November 3, following individual health assessments. Health officials have urged Kenyans not to stigmatize those who have completed quarantine, stating that they pose no risk to their communities after meeting the required monitoring conditions.