Wajir Patient Tests Negative for Ebola, Positive for Malaria, Duale Says
Duale said the patient had been started on antimalarial medication on Thursday night after test results confirmed malaria, easing concerns over a possible second Ebola case in Kenya.
Nairobi, Kenya, October 9 – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that a Wajir County patient being evaluated for a potential Ebola infection tested negative for the virus but positive for malaria. The diagnosis led to the patient being prescribed antimalarial medication on Thursday night, easing worries about a second Ebola case in Kenya.
This comes after heightened surveillance efforts following Kenya's first imported Ebola case in a citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. The Wajir patient, who received treatment at Habaswein Sub-County Hospital, had been under investigation due to his travel history. Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi confirmed preliminary lab results from the National Public Health Virology Laboratory in Nairobi, ruling out Ebola Virus Disease.
Duale urged the public to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear. The Ministry of Health is intensifying surveillance, laboratory testing, and contact tracing in response to the confirmed imported Ebola case, while maintaining screening at points of entry and strengthening preparedness at designated facilities.
Kenyans are advised to practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with the unwell, and seek medical attention at recognized health facilities if they exhibit concerning symptoms.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
