The White House has confirmed that the United States is setting up a specialized health facility in Kenya to receive and treat American citizens exposed to the Ebola virus in regions affected by the current outbreak in Central Africa.
The confirmation, issued Wednesday by a U.S. administration official, marks a major step in Washington’s response to the ongoing Ebola emergency in the region, particularly around the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to the official, the facility will be established in Kenya through a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Defense.
The official described it as a “state-of-the-art facility” intended to provide immediate quarantine and treatment for Americans who may contract or be exposed to Ebola while in the outbreak zone.
“The purpose and design of the facility will be to provide access to high-quality care for Americans who would need to quickly get out of the Democratic Republic of Congo to quarantine,” the official said, adding that the arrangement would reduce the risks associated with transporting critically ill patients back to the United States.
“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 added.
U.S. officials say the Kenya-based centre will be equipped to handle the full spectrum of Ebola Virus Disease, including critical care needs. However, patients requiring highly advanced treatment may still be transported onward depending on medical evaluation.
The White House did not immediately release further details on the exact location of the facility in Kenya, the expected opening date, or the number of patients it will be able to accommodate.
The move comes as Washington tightens travel-related public health measures linked to the outbreak.
The U.S. administration previously invoked its authority under Title 42 to restrict travel into the United States for non-citizens who have recently visited the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan. Last week, the order was expanded to include U.S. green card holders.
American citizens returning from those countries are now being directed through designated U.S. airports for additional health screening, including Washington Dulles International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
The decision to establish the treatment facility in Kenya underscores Nairobi’s growing role as East Africa’s strategic medical, diplomatic and humanitarian hub, especially during regional health emergencies.
It also places East Africa at the centre of the international response to one of the world’s deadliest infectious disease outbreaks, with neighbouring countries including Uganda continuing to strengthen surveillance and border monitoring amid heightened concern over cross-border transmission.
