Kenya confirms ninth Ebola case, says all patients improving

Kenya has confirmed a ninth case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease), with the Ministry of Health reporting that all eight surviving patients are responding well to treatment.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 20, Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth said the latest case involves a 24-year-old man who is a close family member of the index case.

The man tested positive on October 19 after falling ill while in quarantine, having been identified as a known contact of the first case.

Dr. Amoth said the patient was isolated at the first sign of illness and immediately started treatment after his positive test was confirmed.

The latest case brings the total number of confirmed infections to nine, including the index case who died. The ministry maintained that all cases remain within one known cluster, with no evidence of transmission beyond the group.

“Our patients are improving and responding well to treatment,” Dr. Amoth said, adding that all eight patients under care were stable and receiving supportive treatment under close observation.

The ministry also confirmed receipt of 500 doses of medicines to support the treatment of confirmed cases.

Dr. Amoth noted that the ministry had traced and quarantined 134 of the 135 contacts identified in connection with the outbreak, representing 99.3 per cent.

“This progress reflects the dedication of our national and county contact-tracing teams, closer cooperation with families and communities, and the support and solidarity of our development partners,” he stated.

The ministry further reported that it had distributed emergency supplies to 12 very high-risk counties and 16 high-risk counties to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.

The supplies include personal protective equipment, sample collection and transportation kits, diagnostic kits and thermometers to help rapid response teams detect, isolate and test suspected cases.

“In addition, a dedicated laboratory has been set up at the Kenyatta National Hospital Infectious Disease Unit to handle routine tests for patients under Ebola care, so that the hospital’s laboratory is contaminated with Ebola positive samples or overwhelmed and can continue serving all other patients without disruption of testing services,” Dr. Amoth added.

Dr. Amoth said contacts who entered quarantine on October 6 and remain symptom-free are expected to complete their mandatory 21-day monitoring period and begin returning home from Sunday, October 25.

He urged communities to welcome those completing quarantine, noting that individuals who have completed the 21-day period without developing symptoms pose no risk of infection.

He also added that infection prevention and control measures remain in place at quarantine and treatment centres, with no reported spread within the facilities.

“Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings. We ask every Kenyan to keep following the guidance of the Ministry of Health and to cooperate fully with the response,” stated Dr. Amoth.

“If you or anyone you know has fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained bleeding, report it at once at the nearest health facility or on the toll-free line 719.”

The government expressed optimism that continued cooperation with response teams would help bring the outbreak to an end.