Kenya loses second Ebola patient, a relative of first case, in rare Bundibugyo outbreak

Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola as the nation manages the first outbreak of the virus in its history.

The Ministry of Health announced that a 65-year-old woman died after being placed in quarantine. She was a close relative of the initial case, a man who had traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first patient fell ill in September and was treated in multiple hospitals in DR Congo before arriving in Nairobi, where he died on 5 October. The second patient developed symptoms on 13 October while already in isolation.

Seven other individuals are currently receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. This group consists of three additional relatives of the first victim, three health workers, and a hospital cleaner. The ministry stated that all confirmed cases belong to a single cluster and cited no evidence of community spread. The outbreak follows a larger crisis in DR Congo, where more than 9,500 cases and over 4,000 deaths have been recorded since May. The International Rescue Committee, which is assisting both governments, noted that Kenya faces a steady risk of new cases crossing its borders.

The virus involved is the Bundibugyo strain, which is relatively rare. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for this specific species, though trials are ongoing. Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, and organ failure, while some patients experience internal and external bleeding.

In response, Kenya has enhanced screening for travelers arriving from DR Congo and nine other high-risk countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Passengers must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding and present a QR code to port health officials upon arrival. Aircraft from these nations are subject to extra public health screening. The government is also running public awareness campaigns urging citizens to report suspected cases promptly.

The United States has advised its citizens against traveling to Kenya, while neighboring Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia are on alert. Uganda's health ministry announced on Friday that travelers who have recently visited DR Congo are no longer permitted to transit through the country. Officials in Nigeria are also examining a possible link between a local case and the Kenyan outbreak, as both patients are believed to have traveled through Entebbe airport in Uganda earlier this month.