U.S. Plans Kenya Facility for Americans Exposed to Ebola in Congo

U.S. citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for observation and treatment instead of returning them to the United States, according to three sources who spoke to The New York Times. The ongoing outbreak is centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with additional cases reported in Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Service officers are being trained to deploy to Kenya to provide medical care. The administration will initially monitor exposed Americans in Kenya and move anyone showing symptoms to Europe, but later plans call for full treatment capabilities in Kenya.

The White House confirmed it is establishing a state-of-the-art facility in Kenya through a coordinated effort with the Departments of State, Health and Human Services, and War. S. "Time is of the essence for Ebola patients, and this facility will enable Americans in the region who contract Ebola to receive lifesaving care as quickly as possible without 12-plus hours of medevac flight time," the official said.

According to the CDC, officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported 906 suspected cases and 105 confirmed cases as of May 26. The country has also reported 223 suspected deaths and 10 confirmed deaths. Officials in Uganda have confirmed 7 cases and 1 death.

Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told The New York Times he was surprised by the decision not to repatriate Public Health Service officers. Dr. U.S. units.