New Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria have raised concerns about cross-border disease surveillance, as Uganda maintains it has no active infections despite investigations involving patients who travelled through its territory.
Kenya has confirmed nine cases, including one death, while Nigeria has confirmed an infection in a woman who travelled through Uganda after visiting eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Health authorities have not established where either patient contracted the virus. Investigations are continuing to trace their movements and identify people who may have been exposed.
Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over on Aug. 27 after 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case.
In a statement issued Oct. 20, Uganda’s Director General of Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, said the Nigerian woman travelled through Uganda in early October without symptoms and became ill after arriving in Nigeria. He added that Nigeria had not yet provided complete details of her travel and medical history to guide investigations.
Kenya’s Director General for Health Patrick Amoth said the ninth case, a 24-year-old man and close family member of the first patient, was confirmed on Oct. 19.
Authorities had traced 134 of 135 identified contacts and placed them under quarantine. The first group was expected to complete its 21-day monitoring period and begin returning home from Oct. 25, provided they remained well.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Nigerian woman developed symptoms on Oct. 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and sought treatment in Abuja on Oct. 11. Her infection was confirmed on Oct. 20.
Forty-four contacts had been identified and were being monitored, WHO said, adding that investigations were underway to establish the likely source of infection.
WHO urged countries in the region to strengthen preparedness as the outbreak in the DRC continues. It also advised against restricting travel or trade with affected countries.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids, or contaminated items. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Kenya’s Health Ministry has urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention or call its toll-free number, 719. It said no travel, trade or public gathering restrictions were in place.
