Ebola: Kenya cases rise to 8, spreads to 8th Congo province

Kenya's Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the country's Ebola case count has risen to eight, with the latest patient being a 49-year-old man who is not a healthcare worker. The man developed fever, headache, and muscle pain, according to Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Director-General of Kenya's Health Ministry. He was likely exposed to the first Ebola case in Kenya, which was discovered earlier this month.

The patient attendant, who cleaned utensils and linen, is now being tested for Ebola. The other six confirmed cases remain stable after receiving supportive treatment. Six patients have been placed in quarantine after developing symptoms. The first Ebola patient in Kenya passed away on October 5.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported that the Ebola outbreak had spread to an eighth province, Nord-Ubangi, located in the north. The province borders the Central African Republic (CAR). The DRC's Health Ministry announced two new cases, including a death, in Nord-Ubangi province. This brings the total number of Ebola cases in the country to at least 9,400, with over 4,500 deaths, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country's history.

The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola with no approved vaccine or treatment. Ebola is transmitted between people through direct contact with bodily fluids and can cause fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients may also develop internal or external bleeding.