Ebola: Kenya records third case, continues contact tracing

The Ministry of Health in Kenya has confirmed a third case of Ebola, specifically the Bundibugyo virus disease. Director-General Patrick Amoth revealed that the patient is a 65-year-old woman, a close relative and primary contact of the previous two cases, who has been in quarantine since October 6. She tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and malaise.

The second patient remains stable and responding well to supportive care. Of the 130 contacts identified, 127 have been placed in quarantine, representing 97.7 percent of those traced. The risk to the public remains low, but Amoth warned that additional cases could appear among quarantined contacts before their monitoring period ends.

The ministry has provided protective equipment and screening supplies to at-risk areas and increased screening measures for travelers from high-risk countries. Symptoms of Ebola include fever, weakness, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding.