Kenya records second Ebola death as outbreak spreads beyond first patient
A 65-year-old relative of Kenya's first Ebola patient died after developing symptoms while in quarantine.
Kenya announced its first Ebola case on October 6 after a 40-year-old man living in Congo travelled home via Uganda and tested positive. He died the same day.
A 65-year-old woman who was close to him began showing symptoms ten days later while in quarantine in Nairobi. The woman received supportive care at an infectious disease unit but died Friday evening.
Kenya's health ministry said staff did everything they could to save her. She has since been farewelled with a safe burial arranged with her family.
Seven others with confirmed Ebola are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. No new infections were reported in the past update.
Authorities have identified 135 contacts of the first patient and placed 118 in quarantine. Eight have tested positive so far, including four health workers.
Contacts who completed the 21-day quarantine period without symptoms are being released starting over the weekend.
- 40-year-old man
- First patient
- 65-year-old woman
- Second death
- 135
- Contacts identified
- 8, including 4 health workers
- Positive cases in quarantine
Why it mattersThe spread from one patient to multiple family members and health workers shows how quickly Ebola can move, even within isolation protocols.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Australia's health authorities will be monitoring Kenya's outbreak closely as part of global disease surveillance.
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