Kenya confirms third Ebola case as Nigeria strengthens outbreak preparedness
Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed a third Ebola case after a 65‑year‑old woman, a close relative of the country’s first patient, tested positive while in quarantine. She developed symptoms on 15 October, was transferred to an infectious disease unit, and remains under treatment. The first case, a 40‑year‑old man who arrived from the DRC via Uganda, died on 5 October; the second case, a 39‑year‑old male relative, is stable. All three patients were linked to the initial infection and had been in quarantine, with health officials saying there is no evidence of community transmission.
Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it is reviewing national preparedness after Kenya’s first imported case, noting the risk of importation through travel. As of 6 October, Nigeria had recorded no confirmed Ebola case, but had conducted a simulation exercise and is working with the Federal Ministry of Health, Port Health Services, state agencies and partners to boost surveillance, early detection, laboratory capacity, isolation, contact tracing and infection prevention. Kenya’s authorities have identified 128 contacts of the first patient, located 113, and are still tracing the remaining 15, with three contacts unaccounted for according to the Associated Press.
The cases are tied to the ongoing Bundibugyo strain outbreak in the DRC, which had logged 7,890 confirmed infections and 3,799 deaths by 23 September. No vaccine or treatment is specifically approved for this strain. NCDC advises the public to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, practice regular hand hygiene, and immediately report fever, unexplained bleeding or other Ebola‑like symptoms to the nearest health facility.