Kenya has reported its second Ebola death. The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with cases also reported in Uganda and Nigeria.
“She was admitted to the infectious disease unit on the same day and had been receiving supportive care from our dedicated medical teams, who did everything possible to save her life. The latest victim was a 65-year-old woman who had been in quarantine after coming into contact with Kenya’s first confirmed case, the health ministry said on Friday. The woman developed symptoms on October 13 and was admitted to an infectious disease unit the same day.
Sadly, she succumbed to the disease early this evening,” the ministry said. She was “a direct contact and close family member of the first case (deceased) and was under quarantine when she developed symptoms on 13th October 2026,” it added.
Kenya has confirmed nine Ebola cases so far, including the two deaths. The country had not reported any Ebola cases before October 6. The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported at least 4,000 deaths since May, according to AP.
Kenya’s first case was a man who had been living in the DRC and died after returning home. The ministry urged people to follow public health precautions, including avoiding contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people, washing hands regularly with soap and water, and not touching the bodies of people who have died from a suspected illness. It also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek medical help immediately. Ebola spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as blood and vomit, or through contaminated items like bedding and clothing.
The remaining seven patients are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities, according to the health ministry. All the cases are linked to a single cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community spread, the ministry said.
