Kenya records second Ebola death as confirmed cases rise to nine
- A 65-year-old woman in Nairobi became Kenya's second Ebola death, the health ministry said.
- She was a close relative of the first patient, a man who travelled from DR Congo.
- Seven other patients are in isolation; officials say all cases are in one cluster.
Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola, the country's Ministry of Health said on Friday. The victim was a 65-year-old woman in Nairobi who was a close family member and direct contact of Kenya's first patient.
The woman was the third confirmed case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare type of Ebola. She developed symptoms on 13 October while already in quarantine and was admitted to an infectious disease unit the same day, where she received supportive care until she died.
Her death brings Kenya's toll to two out of nine confirmed cases. Seven other patients are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities, the ministry said. They include three other relatives of the first patient, three health workers and a hospital cleaner.
The first victim was a man who fell ill in September and was treated in several hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before arriving in Nairobi, where he died on 5 October. Kenya's Health Director-General, Patrick Amoth, said the medical team did everything possible to save the woman's life.
The ministry said all nine confirmed cases are linked to a single cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community spread. Authorities have traced 135 contacts and placed them under quarantine.
Why this matters for Nigeria
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo virus disease on 20 October in a patient in Abuja who had travelled from Uganda. The patient was isolated and is receiving care, and authorities began tracing people who may have been exposed.
Both the Nigerian and Kenyan patients reportedly passed through Uganda's Entebbe International Airport on 3 October. Health officials are investigating whether the cases could be linked through shared equipment or other exposure, but a direct link has not been established.
There is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo species, though trials are under way. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners have begun the Tumaini clinical trial in DRC, testing whether the Ervebo vaccine, approved for the Zaire strain, can also protect against Bundibugyo.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated materials. Early symptoms include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, and some patients develop unexplained bleeding.
Kenya has introduced enhanced screening for travellers from DRC and nine other countries it considers high risk: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Travellers from those countries must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding and present a QR code on arrival.
The US has warned its citizens against travelling to Kenya, and neighbours including Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are on alert. The WHO has urged countries to strengthen surveillance and contact tracing, while advising against travel or trade restrictions on affected countries.
What happens next
Kenya's ministry said it is working with the woman's family on a safe and dignified burial and asked the public and media to respect their privacy. It advised people to avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease, wash hands regularly with soap and water, and seek medical attention if symptoms appear after possible exposure.
Kenyans can call the toll-free emergency line 719 or reach health authorities on WhatsApp at 0700 719 719.
