In brief
Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola, a 65‑year‑old woman a close family member of the first victim. The woman developed symptoms while in quarantine and succumbed on 13 October, bringing the total to two deaths. Seven other patients are receiving treatment in isolation, all linked to one cluster and no community spread has been reported. In response, Kenya has tightened travel screening for arrivals from high‑risk countries and the U.S. advisories have called on citizens to avoid travel to Kenya.
Kenya’s second Ebola death highlights the country’s first outbreak
Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed on 24 October that a 65‑year‑old woman died from Ebola after being placed in quarantine, marking the country’s second fatal case. The woman was a close family member of the first victim, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and later died on 5 October after arriving in Nairobi.
Seven other patients—three relatives of the first case, three health workers and a hospital cleaner—are currently receiving treatment in two isolation facilities. All cases belong to a single cluster, and there is no evidence yet of community transmission.
The outbreak comes as the U.S. advises its citizens to avoid travel to Kenya, and neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are also on alert. Kenya has introduced enhanced screening at airports and border points for travellers arriving from DR Congo and nine other high‑risk countries, requiring a digital surveillance form and QR code verification.
In addition to border measures, the government has intensified public awareness campaigns, urging people to report suspected cases promptly and practice hand hygiene to prevent further spread. While the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola involved in this outbreak has no approved vaccine, ongoing clinical trials are being conducted worldwide.
Health officials are monitoring for any potential link between Kenya’s and Nigeria’s confirmed cases, both of which may be genetically related. Further genetic testing is underway, with some results already negative but several pending.
