Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, with health authorities saying the patient was already in quarantine when he fell ill.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, the Ministry of Health said the patient is a 39-year-old man and a close family member of the country’s first confirmed case. He developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on Tuesday, October 13, while under daily monitoring in quarantine.
The quarantine team isolated him immediately and collected samples. Tests returned positive for Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory.
The patient has been moved to a designated treatment centre where he is receiving supportive care.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the early detection shows the response is working as designed, noting that early isolation improves chances of recovery and limits further transmission.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases and one death. Both cases are linked and the Ministry says there is no evidence of wider community transmission.
The Ministry said 128 contacts linked to the first case have been identified. As of October 13, 113 have been traced, with 108 in quarantine in Kenya undergoing daily clinical checks for 21 days. Five contacts are outside Kenya and authorities in those countries have been notified. Tracing of the remaining 15 contacts is ongoing.
Health teams are also monitoring people who may have had contact with the second patient, including quarantine staff and health workers.
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