Kenya has confirmed another Ebola infection, bringing the number of cases reported in the country to eight after a 49-year-old man who worked as a patient attendant at Nairobi Hospital tested positive.
Director General for Health Patrick Amoth announced the new case on Sunday, October 18, after the Ministry of Health tested 38 people.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Amoth said the man had reportedly come into contact with the first Ebola patient recorded in Kenya. He developed a fever, headache and muscle pain before testing positive for the virus.
Amoth clarified that the man was a patient attendant and not a direct healthcare worker.
“The cases have increased by one additional case. Today we tested 38 persons; one turned positive,” he said.
The patient has since been isolated, with health officials preparing to begin his treatment.
Amoth said the treatment being given to the other seven patients would also be administered to the newly confirmed case.
The latest infection comes as health officials continue to monitor people who had contact with the first patient in a bid to prevent further spread of the virus.
Kenya has so far recorded eight confirmed cases, with one death reported since the virus was first detected in the country.
Amoth said all seven patients previously confirmed had received monoclonal antibodies and were responding well to treatment. He also confirmed that another shipment of medicine from Rwanda arrived on Sunday night.
“Those who have received the monoclonal antibody, I’m glad, are responding very well,” he said.
Among those being taken care of is a 65 year old patient who, according to the health official, was stable.
The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids or blood of an infected individual or a dead one. It cannot be transmitted through the air.
The Ministry of Health encourages everyone with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea to seek medical assistance.
If people in the public have concerns about being exposed to the disease, they can always call the toll free number of the Ministry of Health, 719.