The Ministry of Health has confirmed the third case of Ebola disease in Kenya even as concerns grow over further spread of the deadly disease.The new case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease) involved a 65-year-old woman who has been in quarantine since October 6.In a press release shared with Kenyans.co.ke on Friday, October 16, the Ministry of Health said the woman was a close relative and primary contact of the first two patients.According to the ministry, the woman developed a fever, sore throat and malaise while in quarantine. She was isolated and samples were collected for testing, returning a positive result.The statement by Health Director General Patrick Amoth says, the woman has since been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit, where she is receiving supportive care from trained health workers.The ministry said early detection and treatment could improve her chances of recovery while reducing the risk of further transmission.According to officials, the second patient remains stable and is responding well to supportive care.As of Friday, the ministry said 127 of the 130 identified contacts, representing 97.7 per cent, had been traced and placed in quarantine. Efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining three contacts.According to the World Health Organization and the Africa CDC, contact tracing is a crucial step to tame the spread of the virus. MoH has maintained that the risk to the general public remained low, citing the absence of evidence of community transmission. It however warned that additional cases could emerge among quarantined contacts before their monitoring period ends.They are under quarantine for 21 days, which started in the first week of October and is expected to end towards the end of the month for those traced first.
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