Kenya's first-ever Ebola outbreak claims second life
A 65-year-old woman died in quarantine, marking the second fatality in the country's first recorded outbreak.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Kenya’s health ministry announced on Friday that a 65-year-old woman has died from Ebola. This death marks the second confirmed fatality in the country, which is experiencing its first outbreak of the disease. The woman was placed in quarantine and was identified as a close family member of the initial victim, a man who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The timeline of the outbreak began in September when the first patient fell ill. He received treatment at multiple hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo before arriving in Nairobi. He died on 5 October, a few days after his arrival. The second patient developed symptoms on 13 October while already under quarantine protocols.
Seven other individuals are currently receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. This group includes three relatives of the first victim, three health workers, and one hospital cleaner. Ministry officials emphasized that all confirmed cases belong to a single cluster, with no current evidence indicating community spread.
The situation in Kenya follows a larger crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 4,000 people have died since the disease was confirmed in May. That country has reported over 9,500 cases, making it the second deadliest outbreak on record. The International Rescue Committee stated that Kenya faces a steady risk of new cases crossing its borders.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species of the virus, a rare strain for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, though clinical trials are ongoing. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, and may progress to organ failure or bleeding.
Kenya has implemented enhanced screening for travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and nine other high-risk countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Passengers must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding and present a QR code to port health officials upon arrival. Aircraft from these nations are subject to additional public health inspections.
The United States has advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Kenya. Neighboring Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia remain on alert. Nigeria’s health minister, Prof Ali Pate, noted that a confirmed case in Nigeria appears genetically related to the Kenyan strain. Officials are investigating whether the two initial patients crossed paths, as both are believed to have transited through Uganda's Entebbe airport earlier this month. Uganda announced on Friday that travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo can no longer transit through the country.
Source: BBC News
