Kenya has recorded its second Ebola death after a 65-year-old woman receiving treatment for the disease succumbed to the infection, raising fresh concerns about the outbreak.
The Ministry of Health announced the death in a press release issued on Friday, October 23, confirming that the woman was the country’s third confirmed case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola.
According to Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, the patient was a close family member and direct contact of Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola case, who died on October 5.
She had been under quarantine when she developed symptoms on October 13 and was admitted to an infectious disease unit the same day, where she received supportive care from medical teams.
“Sadly, she succumbed to the disease early this evening,” the Ministry stated, adding that her family had been formally informed of her death.
The government extended its condolences to the bereaved family, friends and community, while appealing to the public and media to respect their privacy as they mourn.
How many Ebola cases has Kenya recorded?
The latest death brings the number of fatalities to two among nine confirmed Ebola cases in Kenya, according to the Ministry of Health.
Seven patients remain under care in two isolation facilities as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak. The Ministry said all confirmed cases remain within one cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community spread.
The woman’s infection had been detected while she was already in quarantine, after she developed symptoms following contact with the initial case. Kenya’s first confirmed patient was a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi. He later died after testing positive for the Bundibugyo virus.
The World Health Organization has been supporting Kenya’s response, which includes identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The Ministry of Health said it was working with the woman’s family to facilitate a safe and dignified burial in line with public health protocols. Trained teams will oversee the burial while respecting the family’s wishes and beliefs and taking precautions to minimise the risk of further infection.
Safe burial procedures are an important part of Ebola control because direct contact with the body of a person who has died from the disease can expose others to the virus.
The Ministry urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and follow public health guidance to reduce the risk of infection. Members of the public were advised to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone who is sick, and not to touch or handle the body of a person who has died from a suspected illness.
The Ministry also urged people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water and seek medical assistance immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola. These include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Anyone who develops concerning symptoms can call the Ministry of Health’s toll-free hotline on 719 or use its WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719. The Ministry urged Kenyans to support affected families with compassion and dignity as health authorities continue monitoring the outbreak.
