Kenya's last Ebola patient discharged as countdown begins

Kenya's last patient goes home

Kenya has discharged its seventh and final Ebola patient, marking a major milestone in containing the disease in the East African nation.

How the outbreak started

Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case in early October when a Kenyan businessman died within days of arriving in Nairobi.

All contacts cleared

Kenya's health minister Aden Duale said one hundred thirty five identified contacts of infected patients had completed their twenty one days in isolation.

“Today with the discharge of the last patient we can confirm and tell the world that seven patients have recovered - and all contacts have completed their follow-up monitoring.”

No new cases since October

Kenya has reported no new confirmed cases since October twentieth. All cases were linked to the businessman who travelled from DR Congo through Uganda, with no evidence of wider community transmission.

The forty two day countdown

Under World Health Organization guidelines, forty two days must pass after the last patient tests negative and is discharged before an outbreak can be declared over.

Kenya maintains vigilance

The government will maintain heightened surveillance at border crossings, airports, health facilities and communities throughout the countdown. Emergency response teams will remain on alert across the country.

Travel restrictions remain

Some Gulf countries have introduced restrictions affecting travellers from Kenya. Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas to Kenyan nationals in late October, prompting concerns among those seeking employment there.