RismadarVoice Reporters
May 29, 2026
The Trump administration has announced plans to establish a quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya for Americans who have been exposed to Ebola, marking a shift from previous outbreak responses that typically involved evacuating patients back to the United States.
An administration official said the facility is being prepared in coordination with the Departments of State, Defence, and Health and Human Services, and is intended to provide faster access to care for U.S. citizens in the region as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen.
Officials said the decision is aimed at reducing delays caused by long medical evacuation flights, which can exceed 12 hours, and ensuring patients receive “the full spectrum” of Ebola treatment, including intensive care where necessary. However, severely ill patients may still be transferred elsewhere on a case-by-case basis.
The move has sparked debate among health experts, with critics warning that treating Americans outside the U.S. could present serious medical and logistical risks. Some experts described the decision as “unprecedented,” arguing that it raises concerns about the quality of care and oversight in the event of severe infections.
The facility is also part of broader U.S. containment measures as the outbreak spreads in Central Africa. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened entry rules for travellers from affected countries, while evacuations of infected or exposed Americans have already begun to Europe and other regions.
U.S. officials, however, insist the priority is preventing the virus from reaching American soil, stating that “we cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States.”
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has now surpassed 1,000 reported cases, with more than 200 deaths recorded, according to health authorities, raising global concern about further spread and response capacity in affected regions.
