Kenya discharges first five patients who recovered from Ebola outbreak

According to data from the United Nations, 9,552 confirmed cases of hemorrhagic fever Ebola have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the death toll exceeding 4,600. Over the last three weeks, the number of cases has increased by more than a thousand, and the number of victims by five hundred, while maintaining a fatality rate above 48 percent.

The infection has spread to the eighth province of Congo—North Ubangi, located on the border with the Central African Republic.

Furthermore, Ebola fever has been detected in Kenya, where this disease had not previously been recorded; nine cases and one death have been registered there, and 135 contacts are under observation.

In Nigeria, one case of the illness was recorded in a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda. Tests confirmed the presence of the same virus strain as in Congo. Consequently, more than 40 close contacts have been identified.

It should be noted that the outbreak in Uganda was declared over at the end of July after 20 cases were registered, including two fatalities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in its latest situation report, published on Wednesday, that the Ebola virus outbreak, which has already claimed over 4,600 lives, is complicated by the spread of the virus to other African countries, while cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have recovered after a brief decline.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa noted that 'the seven-day average indicates a moderate upward trend, suggesting a resumption of increasing transmission,' emphasizing the 'expansion of the international dimension of the outbreak and growing complexity.'

According to the report, 1,466 confirmed cases were registered in the DRC between September 29 and October 19, which is 10.4% more than in the previous 21-day period. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed deaths increased by 7.5%, reaching 692 cases.

As of October 19, 9,637 confirmed cases and 4,646 deaths were recorded in eight of the 26 provinces of the DRC.

Meanwhile, the international spread of the outbreak has added a new level of complexity to containment efforts. Nine confirmed cases, including one death, were reported in Kenya; all eight secondary infections are linked to an imported case and were found among individuals under quarantine, according to the WHO.

Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case on Tuesday, linked to a woman who had traveled from Uganda earlier this month. Uganda intensified Ebola screening at Entebbe International Airport following reports that the woman had transited through the airport in early October.

The WHO warned that the long interval between symptom onset and laboratory confirmation raises concerns about 'potentially undetected contacts and secondary transmission.'

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned on Tuesday that the outbreak has become the most geographically extensive Ebola epidemic in history, with reports of infections in Central, East, and West Africa. The Director General of Africa CDC, Jane Kasye, called for greater global solidarity and international support to prevent further transmission.

In its latest assessment, the WHO stated that the outbreak remains at a 'critical point,' warning that increased instability, population displacement, and limited humanitarian access in the DRC 'further complicate response operations and increase the risk of undetected transmission.'

The Ugandan Ministry of Health announced that there are no confirmed active cases of Ebola in the country following the transit of a woman from Nigeria who tested positive for the virus earlier this month.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry specified that this woman had visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in eastern DRC for business before transiting through Uganda in early October. Her symptoms only appeared after arriving in Nigeria.

The ministry cautioned against assumptions linking the infection to the woman's transit through Uganda, emphasizing that an investigation is ongoing to determine where she may have been infected with the virus. The ministry stated: 'Transit through Uganda does not mean that the infection occurred here.'

Ugandan health authorities reported that they are awaiting detailed information from their counterparts in Nigeria regarding the woman's travel route and clinical history to decide if further testing and contact tracing are required.

Uganda stated that it is strengthening public health measures and screening at entry points in coordination with relevant agencies. It was also added that provisions for humanitarian and diplomatic movements remain in place despite increased border controls.

The ministry strongly urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, maintain hygiene, including regular handwashing and sanitizer use, and avoid spreading unverified information. It was also announced that further updates will be provided through official channels as new information becomes available.