Kenya discharges last Ebola patient, awaits disease-free status | Ebola News
Kenya Declares End of Ebola Transmission as Last Patient is Released
Nairobi—Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient, marking the beginning of a 42-day countdown to officially declare the country free of the virus. Health Minister Aden Duale announced the development during a news conference on Wednesday, stating that all confirmed cases had been connected to the initial patient.
The announcement follows the identification of the first Ebola case in Kenya on October 6. The Ministry of Health reported that all nine confirmed cases were linked to the contact list of the first patient, indicating no evidence of community transmission. The last case was documented on October 19.
Duale emphasized that the government will maintain precautionary health measures until December 23. He expressed confidence that the outbreak is under control, with the Ministry previously noting that all cases were traced and managed.
The first patient traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) via Uganda before transmitting the virus to four family members and four healthcare workers. Both the initial patient and his mother succumbed to the disease, whereas the other seven patients have fully recovered. Health authorities identified 135 individuals who had interactions with the first patient.
While Kenya manages to contain the outbreak, the situation remains dire in the DRC, where over 11,000 infections and 5,387 deaths have been reported, according to regional health officials. Additionally, the outbreak has spread to neighboring Uganda and Nigeria through individuals returning from the DRC.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, and health officials describe it as one of the most severe recorded.
In response to the outbreak, travel restrictions were imposed, notably an indefinite suspension of visas to Saudi Arabia which was announced on October 30, impacting many Kenyans seeking employment abroad. The Kenyan government has requested that Saudi Arabia reassess these restrictions, asserting that all subsequent cases in Kenya were linked to the first patient and thus under control.
To bolster safety, Kenya has enhanced border controls, designating specific entry points at major airports for travelers from countries with confirmed Ebola cases. Enhanced screening measures, including thermal technology, are being implemented, alongside a mandatory health declaration form. Effective immediately, returning citizens from the DRC will be required to undergo a 21-day quarantine.
