Editor's Review
Duale said that the deceased was Kenya's third confirmed case and was a close relative of the first confirmed case.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed the death of a patient who had been diagnosed with Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease).
Duale said that the deceased, who passed away on Friday, October 23, was Kenya's third confirmed case and was a close relative of the first confirmed case.
He said that the 65-year-old woman was receiving treatment from medics but succumbed to the deadly virus 10 days after she first developed the symptoms.
"She was admitted to the infectious disease unit on the same day and had been receiving supportive care from our dedicated medical teams, who did everything possible to save her life. Sadly, she succumbed to the disease early this evening," the statement read.
Duale said that the Ministry informed her family of her demise and expressed heartfelt condolences to her kin and loved ones.
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He added that the MoH will work with the family to bury the deceased in accordance with the Ebola protocols and asked the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved.
"We kindly ask the public and the media to respect the family's privacy as they mourn their loved one. Trained teams will conduct the burial with respect for the family's wishes and beliefs, while protecting the family and the community from further possible infection," Duale wrote.
The Health CS confirmed that the seven other confirmed cases are receiving medical care in the two isolation facilities. He further explained that there was no community spread of the deadly virus.
"All cases remain within one cluster of known contacts, and there is no evidence of community spread," he reiterated.
Nonetheless, he reminded Kenyans that Ebola is a serious disease that can be fatal, and patients can change condition suddenly without warning.
Consequently, Duale urged all Kenyans to continue upholding public health measures: avoid contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick person, do not touch or handle the body of anyone who has died of a suspected illness, and wash hands regularly with soap and water.
Kenyan who develop fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been asked to seek help immediately.
Elsewhere, the Ministry of Health in Uganda declared that the country is Ebola-free. It urged travellers, visitors and the general public to remain calm and vigilant, practise proper hand hygiene, and comply with screening and other public health measures at all points of entry.
