2nd Death Confirmed as Kenya Contains Rare Ebola Cluster

Kenya has recorded two deaths from the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in its first national outbreak. The health ministry confirmed the second victim was a 65-year-old woman who died after being placed in quarantine.

The deceased woman was a close relative of the first patient, a man who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She developed symptoms on October 13 while already in isolation. The first patient fell ill in September, received treatment at several hospitals in the DR Congo, and arrived in Nairobi where he died on October 5.

Seven other individuals are currently receiving care at two isolation facilities. This group includes three other relatives of the first victim, three health workers, and one hospital cleaner. Officials state all cases belong to a single cluster with no evidence of community spread.

The regional outbreak in the DR Congo has killed more than 4,000 people since May, marking the second most deadly Ebola event on record. The DR Congo has reported over 9,500 cases. The International Rescue Committee notes that Kenya faces a steady risk of new cases crossing its borders as the disease spreads in the region.

There is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo species. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause organ failure and bleeding. Kenya has introduced enhanced screening for travelers arriving from the DR Congo and nine other high-risk countries.

Passengers from these regions must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding and present a QR code to port health officials upon arrival. Aircraft from these countries are subject to extra public health screening. The government is also running public awareness campaigns to encourage prompt reporting of suspected cases.

Nigeria's health minister, Prof Ali Pate, said the country's only confirmed case appears genetically related to the Kenyan strain. Officials are investigating whether the two patients crossed paths in Uganda's Entebbe airport earlier this month. Uganda has banned travelers from the DR Congo from transiting through the country.