By Destiny Obinna
Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus after a 65-year-old woman, the country’s third confirmed case, died while receiving treatment, bringing the death toll to two among nine confirmed cases.
The woman, who was a close family member and direct contact of Kenya’s first Ebola case, developed symptoms on October 13 while under quarantine and was admitted to an infectious disease unit the same day.
She died on Thursday evening, October 23, despite receiving supportive care from medical teams, according to a statement issued by Kenya’s Ministry of Health in Nairobi.
The ministry’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, expressed deep sorrow over the death, extending condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and community.
The statement said: “She had been receiving supportive care from our dedicated medical teams, who did everything possible to save her life. Sadly, she succumbed to the disease early this evening.”
The ministry said the woman’s family had been formally informed of her death and appealed to the public and media to respect their privacy as they mourned their loss.
Seven patients still receiving treatment
Despite the latest fatality, Kenyan health authorities said the seven other confirmed patients remained under care in two isolation facilities.
The ministry stressed that all nine confirmed cases were linked to a single cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community transmission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), which expressed sadness over the death, extended its condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirmed its support for Kenya’s response to the outbreak.
In a press statement, the global health agency said: “Seven patients continue to receive care, and all nine confirmed cases remain linked to a single cluster of known contacts, with no evidence of community transmission.”
The WHO said it would continue to support the Kenyan government and its partners in containing the outbreak.
Safe burial, renewed public health warning
Following the death, the Ministry of Health said it was working with the family to arrange a safe and dignified burial in line with established public health protocols.
According to the ministry, trained burial teams would respect the family’s wishes and beliefs while taking measures to protect relatives and the wider community from possible infection.
The ministry warned that Ebola remained a serious and potentially fatal disease, noting that patients’ conditions could deteriorate suddenly.
It urged Kenyans to avoid contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease and not to touch or handle the body of a person who had died from a suspected infectious illness.
Residents were also advised to wash their hands regularly with soap and water and seek medical assistance immediately if they developed symptoms including fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding.
The ministry advised anyone experiencing symptoms to call the toll-free emergency number 719 or use its WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719.
“Let us honour her memory by standing together, supporting affected families with respect, dignity and compassion,” the statement said.
The death brings the number of fatalities in Kenya’s current outbreak to two, while seven confirmed patients remain under treatment. Authorities continue to monitor the cluster and maintain that there is no evidence of transmission beyond the known contacts.
