Why is a US Ebola facility in Kenya sparking protests?
Summary
A US Ebola quarantine center is being built on a military base in central Kenya for Americans who catch Ebola abroad. The plan has caused protests and violence in Kenya, with some people fearing the virus could spread in their country, which has no Ebola cases so far.Key Facts
- The center is located at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, Kenya, and will serve Americans exposed to Ebola overseas.
- Protests in Kenya against the center led to at least two deaths and one injury during violence.
- The Ebola outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and spreading to Uganda.
- There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.
- Over 300 people are infected in the DRC, with nearly 50 deaths; Uganda has confirmed cases and one death; Kenya has none.
- The US plans to fund Kenya’s Ebola preparedness with $13.5 million and has donated $112 million to regional efforts.
- Kenya’s health workers and unions have criticized the plan, saying it risks spreading Ebola to Kenya.
- The center will start with 50 beds and has isolation and containment units for Ebola patients.
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