Kenya Court Blocks US Ebola Quarantine Facility Plan
A court in Kenya has blocked a US plan to build an Ebola facility there. The US wanted a 50-bed site to house Americans exposed to Ebola.
Medical workers in Kenya opposed the plan. Their opposition contributed to the court's decision to block it.
The block stays until a full court hearing next week. A rights group called the Katiba Institute brought the legal challenge.
The Kenya Law Society also filed a separate challenge. Kenyan doctors issued a strike notice over the plan.
The facility was planned for Laikipia Air Base about 200km from Nairobi. It was due to open on Friday.
There is an Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain which has no approved vaccine or treatment.
It has caused over 220 deaths. No Ebola cases have been confirmed in Kenya. The US also pledged $13.5 million toward Kenya's Ebola readiness.
Key Terms 5
- Ebola A deadly virus that spreads through contact with infected people
- quarantine facility A place where sick or exposed people are kept separate from others
- Bundibugyo strain A type of Ebola virus with no approved vaccine or treatment
- Katiba Institute A Kenyan rights group that challenges laws in court
- Laikipia Air Base A military base in Kenya about 200km from the capital Nairobi