The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has raised concerns over its alleged exclusion from the Ministry of Health’s Ebola preparedness and response efforts, calling for greater collaboration between the government and healthcare professionals as confirmed infections in the country rise to seven.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the union’s members have the expertise required to support the country’s response but have not been adequately involved in the measures being implemented to contain the disease.

The union’s concerns come amid growing attention to Kenya’s preparedness to manage the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, following the confirmation of additional infections, including cases involving healthcare workers who attended to the first patient.

The developments have intensified calls for stronger coordination, adequate protective equipment and improved preparedness across the country’s healthcare facilities.

Atellah has urged the Ministry of Health to involve medical professionals in planning and implementing the response, arguing that frontline healthcare workers understand the practical challenges associated with detecting, treating and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The union has also called for adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), effective contact tracing and strict adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines.

KMPDU calls for greater involvement of doctors

KMPDU maintains that doctors and other medical professionals should play a central role in decisions concerning national and county-level emergency preparedness.

The union argues that involving healthcare workers in the planning process would help authorities identify operational gaps, assess risks within medical facilities and develop practical measures to protect both patients and personnel.

Atellah has expressed concern that excluding the union and its members from the response could undermine efforts to prepare healthcare facilities for additional infections.

The union says its members are willing to support the government in containing the disease and ensuring that suspected and confirmed cases are managed safely.

Its position is that an effective response requires cooperation between the Ministry of Health, county governments, medical professionals, healthcare facilities and other relevant stakeholders.

The union has therefore called for improved communication and coordination to ensure that the expertise of doctors is incorporated into the country's emergency response arrangements.

KMPDU's concerns also come at a time when healthcare workers face potential exposure while assessing patients whose symptoms may initially resemble those of other illnesses.

The union has emphasised that medical personnel must receive the necessary training, protective equipment and support to perform their duties safely.

Seven cases confirmed as Ebola response intensifies

Kenya's Ebola response began after the confirmation of an imported case involving a Kenyan citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi.

The patient was diagnosed with Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease and later died on October 5, 2026.

Following the confirmation, the Ministry of Health activated contact tracing and other public health measures to identify individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.

The investigation initially focused on family members, healthcare workers, passengers and other people who had interacted with the patient during his illness and journey.

On October 14, authorities confirmed a second case involving a close relative of the first patient. A third case, involving a 65-year-old woman who was also a close relative, was reported on October 16.

On October 17, the Ministry confirmed four additional infections, bringing the total number of cases to seven, including the initial fatal case.

The four latest infections included three healthcare workers who had attended to the first patient and another male relative.

The identification of infections among medical personnel has increased attention on safety procedures in hospitals and other facilities managing suspected Ebola cases.

All confirmed cases require appropriate isolation, medical care and follow-up by trained healthcare professionals.

The Ministry has continued its investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the infections and determine whether other individuals may have been exposed.

The rise in cases has also strengthened calls from medical professionals for adequate protective equipment and closer involvement in the response.

Union demands adequate protective equipment

One of KMPDU's major concerns is the protection of healthcare workers who may come into contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients.

The union has called on the government to ensure that medical facilities have adequate supplies of specialised PPE and functioning infection prevention and control systems.

Such equipment is essential for healthcare personnel involved in examining patients, collecting laboratory samples, handling contaminated materials and providing treatment.

The union argues that doctors and other health workers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks because of shortages of equipment, inadequate training or weaknesses in safety procedures.

It has also called for medical personnel who may have been exposed to the virus to receive timely health assessments, monitoring and appropriate follow-up.

Psychological support has also been identified as an important consideration for workers dealing with the pressures associated with a potentially fatal infectious disease.

KMPDU has raised concerns about the protection of healthcare workers following the death of Kenya's first confirmed Ebola patient.

The union says facilities handling suspected cases should have clear protocols for isolating patients, managing exposure risks and protecting staff.

It has further urged authorities to ensure that high-consequence infectious disease units are operational, properly equipped and staffed by trained personnel.

The union's position is that preparedness must be reflected in the actual capacity of healthcare facilities rather than existing only in official plans.

Contact tracing and surveillance remain critical

Contact tracing remains an important component of the government's response to the confirmed infections.

The process involves identifying individuals who may have been exposed to an infected person, assessing the nature of their contact and monitoring their health for symptoms.

The Ministry of Health has reported that approximately 130 contacts were identified in connection with the initial patient. By October 17, 128 had been traced and quarantined, while efforts to locate the remaining two were continuing.

Monitoring people who have been exposed allows health workers to identify symptoms early and arrange testing and isolation where necessary.

KMPDU has called for contact tracing to follow established public health guidelines and for the process to be carried out effectively and transparently.

The union has also stressed the importance of providing accurate information to healthcare workers and the public to prevent confusion and misinformation.

In addition to contact tracing, surveillance at airports and other points of entry is intended to help detect suspected infections among travellers who may have been exposed in affected areas.

Kenya's location and the movement of people across regional borders make cooperation with neighbouring countries important in managing the risk of imported infections.

Health authorities are working to strengthen monitoring, laboratory testing and the capacity of designated facilities to respond to suspected cases.

Understanding the Bundibugyo strain

Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease is a serious illness caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses responsible for Ebola disease.

The disease may cause fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, with some patients developing vomiting, diarrhoea and other severe complications.

Ebola is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is experiencing symptoms. Contact with contaminated objects and materials can also lead to transmission.

The virus does not spread through ordinary casual contact in the same way as common airborne respiratory infections.

Nevertheless, strict precautions are necessary when handling suspected cases because direct exposure to infectious bodily fluids can pose a serious risk.

Healthcare workers must follow established infection prevention procedures and use appropriate protective equipment when caring for patients.

People who develop concerning symptoms after possible exposure should seek immediate professional medical assessment and disclose their exposure history.

The Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges because there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the strain. Patients therefore require appropriate supportive care and close medical monitoring.

Early identification and effective infection control remain central to efforts to limit further transmission.

Government preparedness under scrutiny

The concerns raised by KMPDU have renewed attention on the government's ability to coordinate an effective response involving national authorities, county administrations and healthcare professionals.

The Ministry of Health has previously outlined measures to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, border screening and isolation capacity.

The government has also reported training thousands of healthcare providers in Ebola prevention and case management as part of its preparedness efforts.

However, the union's latest concerns highlight the importance of ensuring that preparedness measures translate into adequate protection and operational support for workers on the frontline.

Medical professionals are responsible for assessing patients, recognising warning signs, collecting samples and providing care while observing safety protocols.

Their involvement in planning can help identify practical challenges that may not be apparent from administrative arrangements alone.

KMPDU is therefore urging the government to strengthen engagement with doctors and other healthcare professionals as it reviews and implements its response.

The union has also called for increased staffing, with Atellah reiterating its demand for the recruitment of more than 2,000 doctors to improve healthcare delivery.

The staffing issue forms part of the wider discussion about the country's capacity to respond to public health emergencies while maintaining essential medical services.

Calls for cooperation as cases increase

Despite its concerns over alleged exclusion, KMPDU has indicated that it is ready to work with the government to address the public health threat.

The union says collaboration is necessary to ensure that medical professionals are involved in developing strategies to protect healthcare workers and prevent further infections.

Its demands include adequate protective equipment, effective contact tracing, operational isolation facilities and stronger coordination between health authorities and frontline personnel.

The Ministry of Health's response will remain important as officials continue monitoring confirmed cases and people who may have been exposed.

The government has urged the public to follow official guidance and avoid spreading unverified information about the disease.

Healthcare professionals have similarly emphasised the need for accurate communication, timely reporting of symptoms and adherence to infection prevention measures.

As investigations continue, coordination between national and county health authorities, medical unions and healthcare facilities will be essential in addressing emerging challenges.

Conclusion

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has raised concerns over its alleged exclusion from the Ministry of Health's Ebola preparedness and response efforts as confirmed cases rise to seven.

Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah has called for greater involvement of doctors, adequate protective equipment and stronger coordination to ensure that healthcare workers can safely support efforts to contain the disease.

The union's concerns have placed renewed focus on the importance of frontline worker protection, contact tracing, infection prevention and adequate medical staffing.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health continues to investigate the confirmed infections and monitor people who may have been exposed.

With healthcare workers among those who have tested positive, ensuring that medical facilities follow strict safety procedures remains a critical priority.

KMPDU says it is ready to support the government, but wants doctors and other medical professionals to be more actively involved in planning and implementing the response.

The coming days will be important as health authorities continue tracing contacts and assessing the situation.

Ultimately, effective coordination, adequate resources and cooperation between the government and healthcare professionals will be essential in protecting medical personnel and limiting the risk of further Ebola transmission in Kenya.