Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, bringing the number of infections to two and the death toll to one.
In a statement, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the latest case was detected early through quarantine monitoring.
The patient, a 39-year-old man and close relative of the first case, developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13 while in quarantine. He was immediately isolated and tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory.
The patient has since been moved to a designated treatment centre, where he is receiving supportive care.
Amoth said the two cases are linked, with no evidence of wider community transmission.
128 contacts linked to the first patient have been identified and 113 traced as of October 13. Of those traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya and are undergoing daily checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure. The other five are outside the country, and health authorities in their respective countries have been notified.
Contact tracing for the remaining 15 people is ongoing. Teams are also assessing people who may have been exposed to the second patient since he developed symptoms, including quarantine staff and health workers.
Amoth said infection prevention measures had been strengthened at quarantine and treatment centres, with health workers provided with protective equipment. Anyone under monitoring who develops symptoms will be isolated and tested immediately.
The government said it has notified the World Health Organization in line with international health regulations. Kenya has not imposed restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Amoth urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant, noting that Ebola does not spread through the air but through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease.
People experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been advised to seek medical attention promptly.
The public has also been urged to rely on official Ministry of Health updates and respect the privacy of the affected family. Those seeking information can call the toll-free line 719.
APERIT FM, HII NI YETU
