Kenya approves US Ebola quarantine facility

Kenya has approved a request from the United States to establish a 50-bed Ebola quarantine facility at an air force base in Laikipia for Americans exposed to the virus. This decision comes amidst a severe Ebola outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern. The United States has implemented strict travel bans for individuals from affected African nations, and its Public_Health_Service will staff the Kenyan facility. While Kenya initially pushed for the facility to be open to all nationalities, it is unclear if this will be the case. The move has drawn criticism from some Kenyans, including Davji Bhimji Atellah and the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, who question the United States' policy of not repatriating its citizens. Experts like Ebola virus cases in the United States also warn that such policies could deter aid workers. The Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is hampered by funding shortfalls, flight restrictions, attacks on medical facilities, and the presence of armed groups like the March 23 Movement.