Kenya reports second Ebola death, a close relative of first patient

Kenya’s health ministry announced the country’s second Ebola death on Friday, saying a 65-year-old woman who was a close relative of the first patient died after developing symptoms while in quarantine.

The woman began showing symptoms 10 days ago and began receiving supportive care at an infectious disease unit in the capital, Nairobi.

The ministry said medical personnel “did everything possible to save her life”, but she died Friday evening.

Her family was notified, and the ministry said it would arrange a safe and dignified burial in consultation with relatives.

The remaining seven Ebola patients were receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. No new infections were reported.

Kenya announced its first ever Ebola case on October 6 after a 40-year-old Kenyan man who was living in Congo travelled to Kenya via Uganda, arriving on October 3.

He was driven by a relative to Nairobi Hospital, where he tested positive for Ebola on October 5 and died the same day.

Authorities have identified some 135 contacts of the first patient, placing 118 in quarantine. Eight tested positive while in quarantine, including four health workers and four close family members.

The health ministry said some contacts who completed the 21-day quarantine period without developing symptoms would be released starting Saturday.

Ebola is highly contagious and spreads 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.

Congo is experiencing its deadliest outbreak, with at least 4,000 deaths since May.