Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that all seven patients who tested positive for Ebola in Kenya have recovered and been discharged from hospital, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
Duale announced on Wednesday, November 11, confirming that the last patient had been released from the hospital and all individuals who came into contact with infected persons had completed their medical monitoring.
“Today, with the discharge of the last patient, we can confirm and tell the world that seven patients have recovered and all contacts have completed their follow-up monitoring,” Duale said.
The announcement brings Kenya closer to ending the outbreak, which was first detected on October 3. However, the country must complete a 42-day period without recording another confirmed infection before the outbreak can officially be declared over.
The countdown follows the discharge of the last patient and is intended to establish whether there are any remaining chains of transmission. The 42 days represent twice the maximum 21-day incubation period of the Ebola virus.
The Ministry of Health recorded its first breakthrough on November 3, when five patients were discharged after recovering from the infection.
Another patient was released on November 6, leaving one person under treatment until Wednesday, when Duale confirmed the final discharge.
