KATHMANDU: The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Kenya has reached eight. Health officials reported that the latest person to contract the virus is a 49-year-old nurse who was involved in the treatment of the initial patient. Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of the Ministry of Health, stated that there is no confirmation of community transmission at this time.
The first patient, who traveled to Kenya from Congo via Uganda, died at a hospital in Nairobi on Oct. 5. The condition of the other six infected individuals remains stable. Authorities have identified approximately 130 people who came into contact with the initial patient, 128 of whom are currently in isolation. Health officials are conducting tests on individuals exhibiting symptoms.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or contaminated objects of an infected person. Reports indicate that an ongoing outbreak in Congo, which began in May, has resulted in at least 4,000 deaths.
In response to the risk, Kenya has tightened health screenings at its borders and established an emergency hotline for suspected cases. At Nairobi’s main airport, a separate entry point has been designated for passengers arriving from high-risk countries. Neighboring Tanzania has also increased border surveillance, implementing a 21-day monitoring protocol for travelers arriving from countries identified as high-risk.
