Kenya has recorded its second Ebola-related death as the country battles its first-ever outbreak, with seven other patients receiving treatment at isolation facilities.

The deceased, a 65-year-old woman, was a close relative of the first victim, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). 

According to Kenya’s Health Ministry, she was under quarantine when she developed symptoms on October 13.

The ministry said all confirmed cases remained within a single cluster, with no evidence of community transmission.

The first victim died on October 5 after falling ill in September and receiving treatment at several hospitals in DR Congo before travelling to Nairobi, where he died days later.

Those currently receiving treatment include three other relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner.

The outbreak has prompted heightened vigilance in Kenya and neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia. The United States has also warned its citizens against travelling to Kenya.

Kenya has introduced enhanced screening for travellers arriving from DR Congo and nine other countries considered high-risk: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Travellers from these countries must complete a digital surveillance form before boarding their flights and present a QR code to port health officials on arrival. 

Authorities have also ordered additional public health screening of aircraft arriving from the affected countries.

The government is meanwhile conducting public awareness campaigns, urging people to report suspected cases promptly and seek medical care.

Ebola is a rare but potentially fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, including blood and vomit. 

Symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhoea, and severe cases may lead to organ failure and bleeding.

The Bundibugyo species involved in the outbreak is relatively rare, with no approved vaccine or treatment, although trials are underway.

The International Rescue Committee, which is supporting efforts to contain the outbreak, has warned that Kenya remains at risk of further imported cases because of cross-border movement from DR Congo, where more than 9,500 cases have been reported.

The wider outbreak in Africa has claimed more than 4,000 lives since Ebola was confirmed in DR Congo in May, making it the continent’s second-deadliest outbreak of the disease.