Kenya discharges first five Ebola patients as 46 contacts leave quarantine

Kenya has discharged its first five patients who recovered from the Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak, while 46 contacts have completed quarantine and returned home, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

The five men, treated at Kenyatta National Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital, were discharged following laboratory tests which confirmed they had cleared the virus and were free of symptoms.

The latest releases bring the total number of contacts discharged from quarantine to 66. A further 52 patients remain under monitoring and are expected to complete the 21-day period by November 11.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 22.2%. No new infections have been reported since October 19. All cases are linked to a single cluster originating from the first imported case, with no evidence of community transmission.

Two patients remain under treatment, one at each of the two hospitals in the capital, Nairobi.

The ministry said the outbreak would only be declared over after a 42-day countdown following the recovery or death of the final patient, provided no new cases are detected. Surveillance will continue during this period.

The government added that it had shared outbreak data with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait through International Health Regulations channels and requested the scientific basis for their recently announced travel measures. Kenya maintains that there are no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.

The ministry also appealed to anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of Ebola to seek medical attention immediately, stressing that early treatment is critical to survival and preventing further transmission.

(Story compiled with input from Kenya's Ministry of Health)