The Kenyan Government through the Ministry of Health has announced strict new measures that will affect thousands of Kenyans following the Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo.

Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has directed that travellers at the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and border towns of Busia and Malaba be screened for possible Ebola infections.

The CS has at the same time announced that thermal guns will be installed at these areas to check for fever, one of the symptoms of Ebola, as well as other possible infectious agents.

"Further to this, we have established the National Health Emergencies Council whose role among others will be to act expeditiously to prevent any importation of Ebola or any other disease of public health importance. Additionally, the Ministry will this afternoon issue a formal alert to all health providers and Kenyans making them aware of the outbreak in the DRC outlining the measures to take including enhanced surveillance and preparedness," a statement from the CS read in part.

At least 17 people are reported to have died in the northwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo where health officials have confirmed the outbreak of the deadly disease.

Ebola is one of the world's most notorious diseases, being both highly infectious and extremely lethal.

It is caused by a virus that has a natural reservoir in the bat, which does not itself fall ill, but can pass the microbe on to humans who hunt it for "bushmeat".

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It is spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, including blood, vomit and diarrhea.

Since many patients become violently ill, family members and medical professionals who care for them face a high risk of infections.