By.philes isaboke
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a second case of Ebola in Kenya, just over a week after the country recorded its first-ever infection.
Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth announced today that the patient is a 39-year-old man who is a close family member of the first patient. He was already under mandatory 21-day quarantine as a known contact when he fell ill.
According to the Ministry, the man developed symptoms including fever, unusual fatigue, and joint pains on Tuesday, October 13. The quarantine team immediately isolated him and collected samples for testing. Results from both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute-CDC (KEMRI-CDC) laboratories returned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus.
The patient has been transferred to a designated Ebola Treatment Centre where he is receiving supportive care. Officials say his condition is being closely monitored.
Kenya’s first case involved a Kenyan man who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for several years. He traveled back to Nairobi while ill, was isolated at The Nairobi Hospital, and died on October 5. The Bundibugyo strain was confirmed on October 6.
Contact tracing has intensified. The Ministry said 128 contacts were identified from the first case. By October 13, 113 had been traced, with 108 placed in quarantine for 21 days with daily temperature and symptom checks. Five contacts are outside Kenya and authorities in those countries have been notified.
WHO has been formally notified under International Health Regulations. No travel, trade, or public gathering restrictions have been imposed. The public is urged to call toll-free line 719 and avoid misinformation.
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