Kenya's Ebola rules for travellers: fever checks for all, health form for arrivals from DR Congo and Uganda

Travellers arriving in Kenya face fever screening, and those coming from DR Congo or Uganda must complete an electronic health form before leaving the aircraft, under a Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) circular issued on 21 May. The rules pre-date Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola, announced on 6 October. On the same day the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said it advises against restricting travel to or trade with Kenya.

The circular, numbered AIC 07/26, is headed as a travel advisory on the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda. It says the Ministry of Health recommends measures at points of entry and exit to prevent the disease being brought in.

On 6 October the Ministry of Health announced Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, in a Kenyan citizen who had been living in DR Congo. According to the ministry, he arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on 3 October; WHO said he died on the night of 5 October.

WHO's statement of 6 October says: "WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or Kenya based on the currently available information." Kenya is the fourth country to confirm a case of the disease, WHO said. Its Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, said in the statement that "Kenya has put important outbreak control measures in place."

The circular says temperature screening "shall be conducted on all travelers" to identify people with a fever of 38°C or above, whatever their country of origin.

Only travellers originating from DR Congo or Uganda must fill in the Electronic Traveler Surveillance Form before disembarking in Kenya, using a QR code printed on the second page of the circular. Airlines and other operators of conveyances that start in or pass through either country must give all travellers a link to the form before the journey begins, so it is filled in promptly.

The circular also tells all travellers to wash hands regularly and use alcohol-based sanitiser on arrival at the point of entry. Operators on routes from or through DR Congo or Uganda must give passenger manifests and health declaration forms to port health officers when asked.

Jambojet flew the patient from Entebbe to Nairobi on 3 October, Pulse Live Kenya reported on 6 October. According to Pulse, the airline said travellers originating from high-risk areas, including the DRC, are required to undergo health checks, including temperature screening and completion of the Port Health Surveillance Form before entry. It added that passenger health screening is handled by government health authorities, not by the airline.

The Ministry of Health said on 6 October that Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories. WHO's statement of the same day put the number of travellers screened on entry at more than 652,000.

The circular names where the ministry sees the highest risk: counties bordering Uganda, and counties hosting airports that receive traffic from DR Congo and Uganda.

For Kenyans planning trips, the Ministry of Health advised on 25 June, according to Eastleigh Voice, that citizens avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected areas in Uganda and DR Congo. Its 6 October statement advises frequent handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs and avoiding close contact with sick people arriving from countries reporting active Ebola transmission. It asks the public to call the toll-free 719 health information line for updates.