Kenya Clears Its Last Ebola Patient and Starts 42-Day Countdown to Dec. 23

Kenya discharged its last Ebola patient on Wednesday and began a 42-day countdown toward being declared free of the disease, ABC News and the BBC reported. Health Minister Aden Duale said the waiting period would end on Dec. 23, provided no new infections appear.

The milestone comes as the wider outbreak keeps growing. Congo, the epicenter, has recorded 11,042 infections and 5,387 deaths, according to its government, as cited by ABC News and Al Jazeera.

How Kenya's outbreak unfolded

Kenya's first case was a businessman who traveled from Congo through Uganda and died within days of reaching Nairobi, according to the BBC. Al Jazeera said the country recorded that first case on Oct. 6. He passed the virus to four family members and four healthcare workers, for nine cases in all.

The first patient and his mother died. The other seven recovered; the BBC said the patient discharged Wednesday was the seventh to do so. Five patients left the hospital on Nov. 3, a sixth three days later, and the last on Wednesday. Authorities had identified 135 contacts of the first patient, and Duale said all of them have completed their follow-up monitoring.

The Ministry of Health has said every confirmed case traces back to the first patient's contact list, which officials say points to no spread in the wider community. Reports differ slightly on the timing of the last new infection: Al Jazeera put it at Oct. 19, while the BBC said no new confirmed cases have been reported since Oct. 20.

Why the countdown lasts 42 days

Under World Health Organization guidelines, an outbreak can be declared over only after 42 days have passed since the last patient tests negative and is discharged, or since the last Ebola victim is safely buried. Duale said the period is twice the longest incubation time for the virus. The BBC noted that incubation ranges from two to 21 days, so people exposed to Ebola may not become ill for several weeks. The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention called the discharge an important achievement. Its chief, Jean Kaseya, said on X that surveillance and vigilance must continue until the outbreak is officially over.

What it means for travelers and workers

Kenya is keeping its precautions during the countdown. Duale said the government will maintain heightened surveillance at border crossings, airports, health facilities and communities, and emergency teams will stay on alert, according to the BBC.

Passengers from 10 countries that have reported Ebola cases, or border countries with active cases, use a designated gate at the main airport in Nairobi.
Arrivals are screened with thermal technology and fill out a health declaration form with their travel and health details.
Kenyans returning from affected areas must complete electronic health declarations, undergo screening and spend 21 days in quarantine under the supervision of health teams, according to the BBC. Al Jazeera reported that Duale said citizens arriving from Congo will face the 21-day quarantine.

The outbreak has also disrupted travel from Kenya. Saudi Arabia announced an indefinite suspension of visas on Oct. 30, which affected hundreds of Kenyan workers heading to the Gulf for jobs, particularly as domestic and hotel workers. The Ministry of Health has urged Saudi Arabia to reconsider, saying Kenya's first case was imported and that every contact was identified and traced under outbreak-control guidelines. Duale also urged other countries with travel or visa restrictions to reconsider, adding that Kenya does not intend to serve as a quarantine center for another country, the BBC reported. Kenya maintains there is no need to restrict domestic travel, trade or public gatherings.

The wider outbreak

The current outbreak began in May and is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has been described as one of the worst outbreaks on record. The BBC said this strain is relatively rare and has no approved vaccine or treatment, though trials are under way. Beyond Congo, the virus spread to Uganda and Nigeria through people who traveled from Congo. Uganda declared its own outbreak over on Aug. 27, according to the BBC.

In a separate move reported by the BBC, the United Arab Emirates is lifting its suspension on new visas for Ugandans, which was imposed in June. Ugandan travelers must still spend at least 21 days outside Uganda before they can enter the UAE.

What happens next

If no new infections are recorded, Kenya can be declared Ebola-free on Dec. 23. Until then, Duale said, the country will keep up its prevention measures.

Around Prague, based on reporting by ABC News, BBC News, Al Jazeera

Share: Telegram WhatsApp