Kenya’s health ministry announced on Wednesday that the country has discharged its last Ebola patient, initiating a 42‑day monitoring period that must elapse before Kenya can be declared free of the virus, provided no new infections emerge.
Health Minister Aden Duale said the final patient, who had been hospitalized since the outbreak began, has recovered and left the treatment centre. The outbreak, which started with an index case who entered Kenya from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Uganda in October, resulted in nine confirmed infections.
Two of those cases – the index patient and his mother – died, while the remaining seven patients recovered. Among the confirmed cases, four were healthcare workers who contracted the disease while treating patients. Authorities traced 135 contacts of the infected individuals; all completed the mandatory monitoring period without developing Ebola.
The 42‑day countdown, which runs until 23 December, reflects twice the longest known incubation period for Ebola. During this time, health officials will continue surveillance and preventive measures to ensure no further transmission occurs.
The Kenyan situation unfolds against a broader regional crisis. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ongoing Ebola outbreak has exceeded 11,000 infections and more than 5,000 deaths, underscoring the importance of vigilant monitoring in neighboring countries.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
