Nairobi: Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola linked to the growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as health authorities strengthen contact tracing and surveillance to prevent further infections.
The second patient is a 39 year old man and a close relative of the first Kenyan patient, who died after arriving in Nairobi from the DRC. Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed the new infection on Wednesday, 14 October, saying the man developed symptoms while in quarantine.
The patient experienced fever, fatigue and joint pain. He was isolated and transferred to a designated treatment centre for care. Health authorities are monitoring people who may have been exposed to the virus and assessing possible contacts linked to the new case.
The ministry said there was no evidence of wider community transmission in Kenya at the time of the announcement. However, officials continue to investigate possible exposures and trace people who may have come into contact with either patient.
The second infection was detected while the man was already in quarantine, allowing health authorities to respond after symptoms appeared. The ministry said early detection improved his chances of recovery. However, no confirmed recovery update was available in the reports reviewed.
The first patient was a 40 year old Kenyan national who had been living in the DRC. He became ill there and received treatment at two health facilities before travelling to Kenya. Reports said he had been ill for about a month, although it remains unclear whether he had Ebola throughout that period.
The patient entered Uganda from the DRC on 1 October and travelled to Nairobi by air on 3 October. After arriving in the Kenyan capital, a relative collected him from the airport and drove him to a hospital.
He tested positive for Ebola and died on 5 October. His journey through Uganda and arrival in Nairobi prompted investigations into his movements and the people who might have been exposed to the virus.
Health authorities identified 128 contacts linked to the first patient. By 14 October, 113 had been traced, while 15 remained untraced. Of those already traced, 108 were in quarantine in Kenya. Five traced contacts were outside the country, and the relevant authorities had been notified.
These figures relate to contacts of the first patient. Health officials were also assessing people who might have been exposed to the second patient, including healthcare workers and staff at quarantine facilities. Updated figures for contacts linked to both cases are needed to establish the full scale of the tracing effort.
The new infection comes as the DRC continues to face a major Ebola outbreak, particularly in its eastern provinces. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.
The DRC had reported 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths by 13 October, according to figures reported from its public health institute. The totals reflect the situation at that reporting point and may change as new infections are confirmed and earlier records are updated.
The outbreak has placed pressure on health services in affected areas and increased the need for cooperation between neighbouring countries. The virus has spread across several health zones in the DRC, while health authorities continue to monitor infections and strengthen their response.
The Bundibugyo virus has no approved specific vaccine or treatment. Medical care focuses on supporting patients and managing complications. Early detection, isolation and contact tracing remain important measures for limiting transmission.
Kenya has strengthened screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Authorities have introduced a dedicated screening gate for passengers arriving from the DRC and other countries potentially connected to the outbreak.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also offered support to Kenya, including assistance with surveillance, laboratory readiness and coordination with neighbouring countries. Cooperation is important because the first patient travelled through Uganda before reaching Kenya.
The circumstances of his journey have raised questions about how he crossed borders without the infection being detected. However, the available information does not establish exactly how the journey took place or whether a specific screening failure occurred.
Separately, a suspected Ebola case in Wajir County in northeastern Kenya tested negative, according to a report published on 15 October. The incident does not add to Kenya’s confirmed case count, but it highlights the importance of testing and preparedness beyond Nairobi.
Ebola can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died. Early symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses, making prompt medical assessment and laboratory testing essential.
Kenya’s immediate priority is to identify people who may have been exposed, monitor their health and prevent further infections. Although the second case has increased concern about the outbreak spreading beyond the DRC, authorities have not reported evidence of wider community transmission in Kenya.
Health officials are continuing contact tracing and monitoring people in quarantine as they assess the possibility of additional infections. Further updates on the patients and the tracing effort will be important in determining how the situation develops.