Kenya confirms second Ebola death
A 65-year-old woman, a close relative of Kenya's first victim, has died. All 9 confirmed cases are linked to one cluster of known contacts.
Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola, the country's Health Ministry said.
The patient was a 65-year-old woman who was a close relative of Kenya's first Ebola victim. She had been placed in quarantine as a known contact, developed symptoms there in mid-October and was moved to an isolation unit in Nairobi, where she died on Friday.
Kenya has now confirmed nine cases of the disease, including the two deaths. Health officials say every case belongs to a single cluster of people who were already being tracked as contacts of the first patient, and that there is no evidence the virus is spreading in the wider community. The remaining patients are receiving treatment in designated isolation facilities.
This is the first Ebola outbreak in Kenya's history. The first patient, a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, travelled to Nairobi earlier this month and died shortly afterwards. His case was confirmed on Oct. 6. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which is linked to the outbreak in Congo. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo, so early detection and supportive care are the main tools.
Authorities have stepped up screening at airports and border points, and the World Health Organization is supporting the response.
Officials have asked anyone with fever, unusual fatigue, muscle pain or vomiting who may have been exposed to seek care promptly.
This summary is original reporting by tehworldnews, written after checking the facts against several major international news outlets and official statements.