By Atlantic Reports

Kenya has identified 127 contacts of a confirmed Ebola case and quarantined 94 of them as authorities work to prevent further transmission, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The agency released the figures on Monday while announcing emergency medical supplies valued at approximately US$70,000 to support the response to Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.

The figures describe people identified through contact tracing, not additional confirmed infections. The update did not explain the status of the remaining 33 contacts.

Supplies for safer care and testing

WHO said the shipment included protective clothing, isolation gowns, goggles, face shields, testing kits and specialised containers for transporting potentially infectious samples.

It also provided infrared thermometers, disinfectant sprayers and materials for infection prevention and waste management.

“Protecting health workers is essential to saving lives,” WHO Representative to Kenya Dr Neema Kimambo said.

She said the supplies would help healthcare facilities manage suspected cases safely, reduce infection risks and maintain essential services.

According to WHO, authorities have screened more than 665,000 travellers at entry points and trained nearly 5,000 healthcare workers in detection, patient management and infection prevention.

Five laboratories have been designated for testing, including two mobile facilities at the Busia and Bungoma border crossings.

Imported case and expanded tracing

WHO said the patient was a Kenyan citizen who became ill while living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), then travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3.

The patient was isolated after reaching a hospital and died on October 5 despite supportive medical care. Kenya confirmed the imported case on October 6 after laboratory testing identified Bundibugyo virus infection.

WHO’s October 6 report identified 28 contacts. Monday’s figure of 127 reflects an expansion of contact-tracing efforts, rather than a reported increase in confirmed cases.

Regional response

WHO said the ongoing DRC outbreak had recorded more than 8,700 confirmed cases. It also reported that Uganda ended its outbreak in August, while France and Kenya had each recorded one imported case.

The agency maintained its advice against travel or trade restrictions on Kenya, Uganda or the DRC, emphasising coordinated surveillance and effective disease-control measures.

For Kenya’s response, the immediate priorities are completing contact follow-up, promptly assessing suspected cases and protecting healthcare workers. The supplied update did not report further confirmed infections in the country.

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