Kenya Confirms Second Ebola Death; Officials Say No Community Spread
Kenya's health ministry said a 65-year-old woman under quarantine died of Ebola, the second death in the country's first outbreak. Officials say all cases are in one cluster.
The story in focus
Kenya has recorded a second Ebola death. The health ministry said a 65-year-old woman, a close relative of the first victim, died after developing symptoms in quarantine. Seven other patients are being treated at two isolation facilities, and officials say all cases are within one cluster with no evidence of community spread.
- A 65-year-old woman became Kenya's second Ebola death after developing symptoms on 13 October while in quarantine.
- The woman was a direct contact and close family member of the first victim, who died on 5 October after travelling from DR Congo.
- Seven other Ebola patients are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities.
- Kenya's health ministry said all cases are within one cluster, with no evidence of community spread.
- Kenya has traced 135 contacts and confirmed nine cases, including the two deaths.
How the cluster developed
Kenya's first Ebola case was identified in a man who fell ill in September and was treated at several hospitals in DR Congo before arriving in Nairobi, where he died on 5 October. The second death was a 65-year-old woman, described by the health ministry as a direct contact and close family member of the first case. She was under quarantine when she developed symptoms on 13 October.
The health ministry said all nine confirmed cases form a single cluster and that it has found no evidence of community spread. The seven patients still being treated include three other relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner. Kenya's ministry said it traced 135 contacts, all of whom were placed in quarantine.
Regional outbreak and travel measures
The outbreak in DR Congo was declared in May, and the WHO region has reported more than 9,000 cases and more than 4,600 deaths, according to Al Jazeera. The Bundibugyo species of Ebola involved in Kenya's outbreak is relatively rare, with no approved vaccine or treatment, though trials are under way.
Kenya has introduced enhanced screening for travellers from DR Congo and nine other countries it considers high risk. Travellers must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding and present a QR code to port health officials on arrival. The US has warned its citizens against travelling to Kenya, while Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are on alert. Nigeria's health minister said its single confirmed case appears genetically related to the strain identified in Kenya, with further testing under way.
How many Ebola cases has Kenya traced to the country's first outbreak?
Kenya has confirmed nine cases, including two deaths, all within one cluster. Officials traced 135 contacts and quarantined them, and the ministry says it has found no evidence of community spread.
Sources & further reading
- Woman, 65, becomes second patient to die of Ebola in Kenya ↗BBC News
- Kenya announces second Ebola death, says ‘no evidence’ of community spread ↗Al Jazeera
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