Kenya Court Suspends U.S.-Funded Ebola Quarantine Plan

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Kenya to oppose a U.S.-funded plan that would quarantine Americans exposed to Ebola at a facility inside the country instead of returning them home. The protests prompted Kenya's High Court to issue a temporary suspension of the plan while legal challenges proceed.

Background on the Proposal Under the arrangement, Americans who may have come into contact with the virus while working or traveling abroad would be directed to the Kenya site for monitoring and isolation. Officials had argued the facility would allow faster containment and reduce the need for lengthy medical evacuations by air.

Demonstrators said the facility would place unnecessary health risks on local communities and questioned the lack of prior public consultation. >"Hundreds have protested in central Kenya against a US-funded plan to quarantine Americans exposed to Ebola there, instead of flying them home.

" Local health workers and residents near the proposed site voiced concerns about infection-control capacity and the potential strain on existing medical resources.

No date has been set for the next court hearing.

Officials have not indicated whether they will revise the plan or seek alternative quarantine locations outside Kenya.