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Kenya confirms third Ebola case, a close relative of other two cases

By Thomson Reuters Oct 16, 2026 | 10:45 AM

NAIROBI, Oct 16 (Reuters) – Kenya has confirmed a third Ebola case in a close relative ​of the first and second ‌cases, the health ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said in a statement that the third case was a 65-year-old ‌woman ​who had been ⁠in quarantine since October ⁠6.

“Once she developed fever, sore throat and malaise, she was isolated and specimen collected for testing. ​She tested positive for Ebola,” the statement said, adding: “She was ⁠diagnosed early and ⁠is currently receiving supportive care ​improving her chances of recovery.”

Kenya’s cases ​are linked to the Ebola epidemic ‌in Congo, which is the second-largest on record globally with more than 9,000 cases and over ⁠4,000 deaths.

Kenya’s first case emerged last week after a Kenyan man, who had ⁠been ill ‌in Congo about a ⁠month before travelling by ​road ‌to Uganda, flew to Nairobi ​on ⁠October 3, where a relative drove him to the hospital. He died on October 5.

(Reporting by Ruth Nesoba;Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by ​Alexander Winning)