Five patients who had the Ebola Bundibugyo virus have recovered and gone home, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. The Star reported that two were treated at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and three at The Nairobi Hospital. Laboratory tests confirmed their recovery. The ministry said that the patients had finished treatment and stayed free of symptoms before discharge.
Another 46 contacts completed their 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms. They have left quarantine and returned to their families. That brings the total number of contacts released to 66, after 20 others went home on October 25. The ministry expects the remaining 52 contacts to finish quarantine by November 11 if they stay symptom-free.
Kenya's confirmed case count remains at nine, including two deaths. The ministry puts the case fatality rate at 22.2 per cent. No new infection has been recorded since October 19. According to the ministry, all cases are linked to a single cluster that began with the first imported case, and there is no community transmission. Two patients remain in treatment, one at KNH and one at The Nairobi Hospital.
The ministry said that contacts who complete monitoring without symptoms cannot spread the disease. It warned against stigma and urged families, employers and communities to receive those discharged "with dignity and compassion."
Health authorities said the outbreak is not over yet. A 42-day countdown will begin once the last patient has recovered or died. Kenya will declare the outbreak over only if no new case appears during that period. Surveillance and other public health measures will continue until then.
The ministry also responded to travel restrictions that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait recently announced for travel to and from Kenya. It said the government is engaging both countries through diplomatic and International Health Regulations channels. The aim is to seek clarification on the scientific basis for the measures. The ministry said that Kenya remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.