By Maryanne Awuya
Kenya has confirmed its eighth Ebola case, as health authorities step up efforts to contain the outbreak across the regions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Patrick Amoth, said in a interview with Citizen TV that “ the latest case was a 49-year-old man who tested positive for the virus after developing fever, headaches and muscle pain”.
Amoth said 38 people were tested on Sunday, with one returning a positive result, adding that the man had been in quarantine and developed symptoms on Saturday before his test result was confirmed.
The patient worked as a hospital attendant, cleaning utensils and linens, and was believed to have been exposed to Kenya’s first Ebola patient, who died in Nairobi on October 5 after travelling from the DRC.
PerSecondNews recalls that Kenya reported its first Ebola case on October 6.
The other seven cases have involved relatives of the first patient or health workers who treated him, with the patients reportedly in stable condition.
Health authorities have intensified surveillance and contact tracing to prevent further transmission. Last week, officials said they had identified 130 contacts, with 128 traced and placed in quarantine.
Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has spread to North Ubangi province, marking its presence in an eighth province and raising concerns about further regional transmission.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has also prompted heightened preparedness in Nigeria.
PerSecondNews recalls that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had activated enhanced surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities following concerns about the possible importation of the virus.
The agency also placed its National Emergency Operations Centre on alert, issued preparedness guidance to states and conducted a national Ebola preparedness exercise to test coordination, early detection and response.
The Federal Government has also strengthened screening and surveillance at points of entry, including airports, to help detect possible cases and limit the spread of the virus.
The development comes as health authorities across the region continue efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further infections.
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