Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, with the patient being a 39-year-old man who was already in quarantine after coming into contact with the first case.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, October 14, the Ministry of Health said the man developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on Tuesday, October 13, prompting health officials to isolate him and collect samples for testing.
The samples tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory. He has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre for supportive care.
The ministry said the early detection was made possible by the ongoing quarantine and daily monitoring of contacts.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola, and one death.
The Ministry of Health said both cases were linked and there was no evidence of transmission in the wider community.
As of Tuesday, October 13, health officials had identified 128 contacts linked to the first case and traced 113 of them. Of those traced, 108 were in quarantine in Kenya, while five were outside the country and the relevant health authorities had been notified.
Contact tracing for the remaining 15 people is ongoing, while officials are also assessing people who may have been exposed to the second patient since he developed symptoms.
The ministry said anyone in quarantine who develops symptoms would be isolated and tested immediately. It added that infection prevention measures had been strengthened at quarantine and treatment centres.
Despite the confirmation of the second case, Kenya has not imposed restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
The ministry urged Kenyans to remain vigilant, seek medical attention if they develop symptoms and rely on official updates.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease. It is not spread through the air.
Members of the public can call the Ministry of Health toll-free line 719 for further information.
