Seven American aid workers who participated in efforts to combat the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are under quarantine at a biosafety facility in Kenya, following the United States imposing new travel restrictions on its citizens coming from areas affected by the disease.

Reuters reported that Franklin Graham, president of the Samaritan's Purse relief organization employing these workers, stated that the seven workers show no symptoms of Ebola virus infection, but they will remain in quarantine for 21 days according to established precautionary measures.

This group is the first to be quarantined at the facility, which the U.S. government established at an airbase in central Kenya to receive Americans who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda.

New American Policy

This step comes after Washington adopted a new policy requiring American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to spend three weeks in a third country before being allowed to enter the United States, as part of measures to limit the spread of infection.

An official at the U.S. State Department confirmed to Reuters that the group voluntarily moved to the Kenyan facility for health monitoring and preventive isolation, noting that Kenyan authorities approved their entry under the supervision of doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service, and that the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution."

Widespread Controversy in Kenya

The establishment of the American isolation facility has sparked a wave of criticism within Kenya, where opponents accuse the U.S. government of transferring health risks associated with caring for potential cases to Kenyan territory.

The facility has also become the center of an ongoing legal dispute, after a Kenyan court issued an order to suspend activities there until a final ruling on the case, despite American officials and satellite images indicating that construction work continues.

Last month, the Kenyan health minister announced an immediate halt to construction of the facility after being found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a previous judicial order to suspend the project.

Intensive Health Monitoring

According to an informed source, the group arrived at the facility located in central Kenya on Monday and is currently staying in tents equipped with military field beds.

The source explained that some members of the group worked as paramedics in the organization's Ebola treatment centers, while others took on logistical and construction tasks without direct contact with the infected.

It was added that there is one case suspected of being at high risk of infection, while the health of all group members is under continuous monitoring, noting that Kenyan authorities do not allow them to leave the facility or move within the country throughout the quarantine period.

No immediate comment has been issued by the Kenyan Ministry of Health, while a senior official in the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he has no information regarding the incident.

Seven American aid workers who participated in efforts to combat the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are under quarantine at a biosafety facility in Kenya, following the United States imposing new travel restrictions on its citizens coming from areas affected by the disease.

Reuters reported that Franklin Graham, president of the Samaritan's Purse relief organization employing these workers, stated that the seven workers show no symptoms of Ebola virus infection, but they will remain in quarantine for 21 days according to established precautionary measures.

This group is the first to be quarantined at the facility, which the U.S. government established at an airbase in central Kenya to receive Americans who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda.

New American Policy

This step comes after Washington adopted a new policy requiring American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to spend three weeks in a third country before being allowed to enter the United States, as part of measures to limit the spread of infection.

An official at the U.S. State Department confirmed to Reuters that the group voluntarily moved to the Kenyan facility for health monitoring and preventive isolation, noting that Kenyan authorities approved their entry under the supervision of doctors from the U.S. Public Health Service, and that the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution."

Widespread Controversy in Kenya

The establishment of the American isolation facility has sparked a wave of criticism within Kenya, where opponents accuse the U.S. government of transferring health risks associated with caring for potential cases to Kenyan territory.

The facility has also become the center of an ongoing legal dispute, after a Kenyan court issued an order to suspend activities there until a final ruling on the case, despite American officials and satellite images indicating that construction work continues.

Last month, the Kenyan health minister announced an immediate halt to construction of the facility after being found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a previous judicial order to suspend the project.

Intensive Health Monitoring

According to an informed source, the group arrived at the facility located in central Kenya on Monday and is currently staying in tents equipped with military field beds.

The source explained that some members of the group worked as paramedics in the organization's Ebola treatment centers, while others took on logistical and construction tasks without direct contact with the infected.

It was added that there is one case suspected of being at high risk of infection, while the health of all group members is under continuous monitoring, noting that Kenyan authorities do not allow them to leave the facility or move within the country throughout the quarantine period.

No immediate comment has been issued by the Kenyan Ministry of Health, while a senior official in the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that he has no information regarding the incident.