Kenya's Ebola cases rise to nine after contact tests positive in quarantine
In short
Kenya's health ministry confirmed a ninth Ebola case on Tuesday, a person who had been in contact with the country's first patient and tested positive while in quarantine. The ministry said there was still no evidence of transmission beyond known contacts of that first patient.
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Kenya's Ebola outbreak rose to nine confirmed cases on Tuesday after another person who had been in contact with the country's first patient tested positive while in quarantine, health officials said. Reuters, citing the health ministry, reported the same total of nine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The health ministry said there was still no evidence of transmission beyond known contacts of the first patient. Authorities have identified 135 contacts linked to the nine patients, with 134 now in quarantine. The ministry said the list would continue to grow as more people who had come into contact with any of the nine patients were identified. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kenya announced its first Ebola case on Oct. 6, involving a man who traveled from Congo via Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on Oct. 3. A relative drove him to a hospital, where he tested positive for Ebola on Oct. 5. He died the same day. Four of his relatives and four health care workers have since tested positive. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Associated Press described Ebola as highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, including blood and vomit, or through contact with contaminated materials and surfaces, such as bedding and clothing. It also wrote that Congo is experiencing its deadliest outbreak, with at least 4,000 deaths since May. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kenya's Ministry of Health said the first group of contacts was expected to complete the 21-day quarantine period on Oct. 25. Those who had not developed symptoms would be allowed to return home. The ministry appealed to communities to welcome them back, saying they "pose no risk of infection". [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The ministry said the contact list would keep growing as more people linked to the nine patients are identified. The first group of contacts is due to finish the 21-day quarantine on Oct. 25, which the ministry says will let those without symptoms return home.
Key facts
- Kenya's Ebola outbreak rose to nine confirmed cases on Tuesday, according to the health ministry. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ninth patient had been in contact with the country's first patient and tested positive while in quarantine. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Four relatives of the first patient and four health care workers have since tested positive. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Authorities have identified 135 contacts linked to the nine patients, with 134 in quarantine. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kenya announced its first case on Oct. 6, a man who traveled from Congo via Uganda and arrived in Nairobi on Oct. 3. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The first group of contacts is expected to complete the 21-day quarantine on Oct. 25. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the outbreak will spread beyond known contacts of the first patient. The ministry said there was no evidence of such transmission so far, and that the contact list would continue to grow as more people are identified.
- Why one of the 135 identified contacts is not in quarantine. The reports give 135 contacts with 134 in quarantine and do not explain the difference.
- The ministry said there is still no evidence of transmission beyond known contacts of the first patient. Reported by a single source so far
- The ministry said 135 contacts have been identified, 134 of them in quarantine, and that the list would continue to grow. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters published that Kenya confirmed a new Ebola case, total at nine, the health ministry said. [ 1 ]
- The Associated Press reported that Kenya's Ebola cases rose to nine. [ 2 ]
- The Seattle Times published the AP report. [ 3 ]
- Reuters published a Spanish-language report of the new case and the total of nine. [ 4 ]