Ebola: no new cases in Kenya, 14 tests negative in 24 hours
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Citizen
Kenya recorded no new Ebola cases in 24 hours, while all 14 samples taken following alerts tested negative. The total remains nine confirmed cases, including one death, and the first contacts placed in quarantine are expected to leave this weekend, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Health.
Kenya recorded no new Ebola cases and all 14 samples tested in the past 24 hours returned negative results, the Kenyan Ministry of Health said on Thursday 22 October. The country is on day 17 since the first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease was confirmed on 6 October.
The total remains nine confirmed cases, including the initial patient, who died on 5 October. The eight people currently being treated in isolation centres are stable and responding well, according to the ministry. They are four members of the first patient’s family and four health workers who treated him. The authorities have detected no community transmission.
All 135 contacts linked to the first case have been traced in Kenya and abroad. Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth said the confirmed cases had been in close contact with the initial patient between 3 and 5 October, before being quarantined. He added that no transmission had been traced at quarantine sites, where prevention measures have been strengthened.
The first contacts to complete their 21-day monitoring period without developing the disease are due to leave quarantine from Sunday 25 October. The ministry has urged communities to welcome them without stigma, noting that they cannot transmit the infection after completing the monitoring period without symptoms.
The update follows the increase in the total to seven confirmed cases announced on 17 October (four new cases in Kenya). The authorities later said that eight of the nine patients were stable (patient status update).
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
