NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has confirmed four more cases of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, bringing the country’s total to seven, including one death.
The new cases involve a close male relative of the first patient, who died, and three health workers who treated him in hospital between October 3 and 4, the Ministry of Health said.
The relative had been in quarantine since October 6.
The three health workers, aged 29, 32 and 35, were placed in quarantine on October 9.
All four developed symptoms while under observation, tested positive and were quickly isolated. They are receiving supportive care at a designated treatment facility.
“There is no evidence of community transmission,” the Ministry said, adding that the patients’ identification and isolation while in quarantine had helped reduce the risk of further spread.
The ministry has said the risk to the general public remains low, while contact tracing and monitoring continue.
Kenya’s first confirmed case was an imported infection involving a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He died on October 5, two days after arriving in Nairobi.
The second and third cases were close relatives of the man and were also found while in quarantine.
The latest four cases raise the confirmed total to seven.
Health authorities have identified 130 contacts linked to the cases.
By October 17, 128 had been traced and placed in quarantine, while efforts continued to locate the remaining two.
The contacts are being monitored during a 21-day observation period, which covers the longest known incubation period for the disease.
The World Health Organization has said that finding infections among quarantined contacts allows health teams to isolate patients early and limit their exposure to others.
It has also cautioned that additional cases could emerge among contacts before their monitoring period ends.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, or with objects contaminated by those fluids.
It does not spread through the air.
Symptoms can include fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea. Unexplained bleeding may occur in later stages of illness.
The Ministry has urged anyone who develops symptoms to seek medical attention promptly and to share relevant exposure or travel information with health workers.
Members of the public can call the Ministry’s toll-free line, 719, for guidance.
