Ebola reaches Kenya: eighth case confirmed as regional outbreak spreads
Kenya has confirmed its eighth Ebola case in an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine. Congo has recorded over 9,400 cases since May.
Kenya has confirmed its eighth Ebola case. Patrick Amoth, the country’s Director-General for Health, said one of 38 people tested on Sunday came back positive.
A strain with no vaccine
This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there’s no approved vaccine or specific treatment for it, which makes tracing contacts and isolating patients the main tools health workers have.
How big is the outbreak?
- Democratic Republic of Congo: at least 9,400 cases and more than 4,500 deaths since May, across eight provinces.
- Uganda: 20 cases and two deaths, before being declared Ebola-free in August.
- Kenya: eight confirmed cases so far.
What it means for travellers
There’s no sign of Ebola in Pakistan, and the risk to people here’s very low. If you’re travelling to East or Central Africa for work or family, check the latest advice from Pakistan’s National Institute of Health and the WHO before you go, and follow local health instructions on arrival.
Figures are from reports summarised by 10 Things, which links to Reuters and Al Jazeera.
Sources
This story was researched and drafted with AI assistance, then checked and edited by our editor before publishing.
