The Trump administration is planning to send Americans exposed to Ebola to a new quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya rather than evacuating them to the United States, according to an administration official.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, said Wednesday that the facility is being established by the Departments of Defense, State and Health and Human Services. It is intended to provide rapid care for patients who need to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo amid an ongoing outbreak.
"The plan would help patients avoid an hourslong medical evacuation to the U.S.," the official said. The center is designed to handle the full spectrum of Ebola cases, though patients could be moved elsewhere if more advanced treatment is required.
It remains unclear exactly where in Kenya the facility will be located or whether Kenyan authorities have approved the arrangement. The official noted that the site would allow quicker response times for those exposed in eastern Congo.
Health authorities in Congo have faced significant difficulties containing the outbreak. The World Health Organization has indicated that efforts are being outpaced, particularly after confirmation of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola came weeks later than expected because initial tests focused on a more common variant.
The number of suspected cases in eastern Congo is approaching 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths reported so far. Congo’s health ministry stated Tuesday that 101 cases have been confirmed and that officials are investigating more than 3,000 possible contacts.
Additional challenges include the presence of armed groups in the region, large numbers of displaced people and inadequate infrastructure that complicates response efforts.
The decision to establish the Kenya facility reflects an effort to manage potential exposures among Americans working or traveling in the affected area without bringing them directly into the U.S. medical system. The administration official emphasized that the site would support patients across varying levels of illness severity.
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the facility might become operational. Questions about staffing, security arrangements and coordination with Kenyan health services also remain unanswered in the initial announcement.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo continues to draw international attention due to its scale and the logistical hurdles involved in containment. Previous responses in the region have been hampered by conflict and population movement.
According to the administration official, the new center aims to balance rapid medical intervention with the practical difficulties of long-distance evacuations. Patients would receive initial care on site before any further transfers if needed.
Public health experts have long noted the importance of swift isolation and treatment in Ebola cases to prevent wider spread. The Kenya facility would represent one component of that strategy for exposed Americans.
Further details on the project are expected in coming days as planning progresses among the involved federal agencies. The situation in Congo remains fluid, with case numbers continuing to be monitored closely by health authorities.