Kenya Health Ministry Confirms Second Ebola Death in First National Outbreak
A 65-year-old woman died in quarantine after being exposed to a relative returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
Kenya has recorded a second fatality from the Ebola virus, marking the country's first confirmed outbreak of the disease. The Ministry of Health announced that a 65-year-old woman died after being placed in isolation. She was a close relative of the first confirmed victim, a man who had recently traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The deceased woman began showing symptoms on October 13 while already in quarantine. The first patient, who fell ill in September, was treated at multiple hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo before arriving in Nairobi. He died there a few days after his arrival, with the death confirmed on October 5.
Seven other individuals are currently receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. This group consists of three other relatives of the first victim, three health workers, and one hospital cleaner. Officials state that all confirmed cases belong to a single cluster, with no evidence yet of the virus spreading through the general community.
This local outbreak is occurring against the backdrop of a severe epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since May, more than 4,000 people have died from the disease in Africa, and over 9,500 cases have been reported. The International Rescue Committee notes that Kenya remains at steady risk for new cases entering across its borders. The specific strain involved is the Bundibugyo species, which is rare. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain, though clinical trials are ongoing.
In response, Kenya has intensified screening for travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and nine other high-risk nations, 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 landing. Aircraft from these countries are subject to additional public health inspections. Within the country, the government is running public awareness campaigns to encourage prompt reporting of suspected cases.
The United States has issued a warning advising its citizens against travel to Kenya. Neighboring countries Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia have placed their health systems on alert. On Friday, Uganda's health ministry announced that travelers who have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo are no longer permitted to transit through the country.
The outbreak also shows a possible genetic link to West Africa. Prof Ali Pate, Nigeria's health minister, stated that Nigeria's single confirmed case appears related to a strain found in Kenya. He noted there is no evidence the Kenyan patient traveled to Nigeria, but officials are testing whether the two initial patients crossed paths. Both are believed to have traveled through Uganda's Entebbe airport earlier this month.
