Kenya has discharged its seventh and final Ebola patient, marking a major milestone in the country’s response to the outbreak and triggering a 42-day countdown towards an official declaration that the disease transmission has ended.
Health authorities confirmed that the discharge of the last patient had brought the country closer to containing the outbreak, although surveillance and preventive measures will remain in place throughout the monitoring period.
Health Minister Aden Duale said all 135 identified contacts had completed the required 21-day monitoring period, while no new infections had been reported since October 20.
The outbreak began after a businessman reportedly contracted the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and travelled to Nairobi, where he subsequently died. His mother also died after becoming infected.
The country recorded seven patients during the outbreak, with the discharge of the final patient representing an important step in efforts to prevent further transmission.
Under World Health Organization guidelines, an Ebola outbreak can be declared over after 42 consecutive days without a new case following the discharge of the last patient or the safe burial of the last confirmed case.
The countdown is designed to provide sufficient time to identify any possible infections that may emerge from contacts who were exposed before the last patient was discharged.
Kenyan authorities are maintaining enhanced surveillance at airports, border crossings and healthcare facilities to detect possible cases and prevent further spread.
The measures include monitoring travellers, strengthening screening procedures and ensuring that health facilities remain prepared to identify and respond to suspected infections.
The outbreak has again highlighted the importance of cross-border disease surveillance in East and Central Africa, where population movement can complicate efforts to contain infectious diseases.
Kenya’s proximity and travel links with the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in the region make coordination between public health authorities particularly important.
Although the discharge of the final patient represents significant progress, health officials will need to complete the 42-day monitoring period before the outbreak can be formally declared over.
