Kenya records second Ebola death as outbreak reaches nine cases

Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola, with nine confirmed cases reported in the country, according to the Ministry of Health.

The latest victim, a 65-year-old woman and close relative of the first patient, died on Friday while receiving treatment. She developed symptoms on October 13 while in quarantine, the ministry said.

Seven other patients are receiving treatment at two isolation facilities. All eight secondary cases are linked to the first imported case, and authorities say there is no evidence of wider community transmission.

The first patient, a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), travelled to Nairobi via Uganda on October 3. He died on October 5 after receiving treatment at several hospitals in the DRC and was later given a safe and dignified burial.

Kenya has strengthened screening at points of entry, including for travellers arriving from the DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Travellers from these countries are required to complete health declaration forms to support screening and contact tracing.

Authorities continue to use quarantine, patient isolation, contact tracing and enhanced border screening to limit further transmission.

(With input from wires)