Kenya has discharged its final Ebola patient, marking a major milestone in the country's response to the outbreak and allowing authorities to begin the 42-day countdown towards an Ebola-free declaration.
The patient was released on November 11, while the last 11 people who had been under monitoring also completed their follow-up and returned home, according to the Associated Press.
The countdown began on November 12. If no new infections are detected during the period, Kenya could be declared free of Ebola on December 23.
Kenya confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6, involving a person who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda. The country recorded nine cases in total, including two deaths, while seven patients recovered. All infections were linked to the initial case, with no community transmission reported.
Health authorities identified and monitored 135 contacts, while four healthcare workers were among those infected. The response included isolation, contact tracing, laboratory testing and enhanced surveillance.
The Ministry of Health has said that monitoring and preventive measures will continue throughout the 42 days, with rapid response teams remaining on alert and screening maintained at points of entry.
Meanwhile, the wider regional outbreak remains active, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the number of reported infections and deaths continues to rise.
