Kenya has confirmed a third case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with the latest patient being a 65-year-old woman who was already in quarantine as a close contact of the first two patients.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 16, the Ministry of Health said the woman had been under quarantine since October 6 and was identified as a primary contact of the earlier cases.
According to the ministry, she developed a fever, sore throat and general malaise while in quarantine, prompting health officials to isolate her and collect samples for laboratory testing.
The samples subsequently returned a positive result, confirming the country’s third reported case.
Health Director General Patrick Amoth said the patient had been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit, where she was receiving supportive care from trained healthcare workers.
Ministry Steps Up Contact Tracing
The Ministry of Health said early detection and treatment were important in managing the patient’s condition and reducing the risk of further transmission.
Officials also reported that the second patient remained stable and was responding well to supportive care.
As of Friday, health authorities had traced and placed in quarantine 127 of the 130 identified contacts, representing 97.7 per cent.
Efforts were continuing to locate the remaining three contacts.
Contact tracing is a critical public health measure during an Ebola outbreak because it helps authorities identify people who may have been exposed to the virus, monitor their health and isolate suspected cases when necessary.
More Cases Could Emerge
Despite the confirmation of a third case, the Ministry of Health maintained that the risk to the general public remained low, citing the absence of evidence of community transmission.
However, officials cautioned that additional infections could still be detected among people already in quarantine before their monitoring period ends.
Contacts are being monitored for 21 days, the recognised incubation-monitoring period for Ebola. The quarantine period for those identified during the first week of October is expected to end towards the close of the month, provided no symptoms or further positive cases emerge.
Health authorities are continuing surveillance and follow-up measures to identify possible infections early and limit further spread.
Health Authorities Urge Vigilance
The latest case highlights the importance of continued monitoring and strict adherence to public health measures as Kenya responds to the outbreak.
The Ministry of Health is relying on isolation, supportive treatment, contact tracing and quarantine to contain the disease.
While officials have said the overall public risk remains low, the emergence of another case among known contacts demonstrates why surveillance efforts must continue until all identified contacts complete their monitoring period.
The public is encouraged to follow official guidance from health authorities and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms after a possible exposure.
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