Kenya reports second Ebola death as outbreak remains confined to one cluster
Kenya has reported its second Ebola death during its first outbreak, after a 65-year-old woman died while in quarantine. She was a close relative of the first victim, and officials say all known cases belong to one cluster, with no evidence of spread in the wider community.
Seven people were receiving treatment at two isolation facilities: three relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner. The first victim, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, died in Nairobi on 5 October after becoming ill in September. Kenya has tightened screening for arrivals from 10 countries it considers high risk, while neighbouring states are also on alert; the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment is available.
In short
- Kenya has recorded its second Ebola death.
- Seven patients remain in treatment.
- Officials report no evidence of community spread.
Explained simply
Ebola is a serious illness caused by a virus, and outbreaks can spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. Kenya’s outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a rare type of Ebola.
The first known patient was a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo and became ill in September. Other people being treated include his relatives, health workers and a hospital cleaner; officials say the known cases are linked to this group.
The outbreak matters because Ebola can be fatal and can spread in healthcare settings if infection controls fail. Kenya has increased checks on some arrivals, and neighbouring countries are monitoring the situation.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Woman, 65, becomes second patient to die of Ebola in Kenya”.