Second patient dies of Ebola in Kenya as US warns its citizens

NAIROBI, Kenya 

Kenya has recorded its second death from Ebola as it handles its first ever outbreak of the disease.

A woman, aged 65, who was a close family member of the first victim, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, died after being placed in quarantine, the health ministry said.

Seven other Ebola patients were receiving treatment at two isolation facilities, it added.

All the cases were within "one cluster, with no evidence of community spread", the ministry said.

More than 4,000 people have died in Africa since Ebola was confirmed in DR Congo in May, making it the second most deadly outbreak of the disease.

Kenya's latest victim had been under quarantine when she developed symptoms on 13 October, the health ministry said.

The first death, on 5 October, was that of a man who fell ill in September and was treated in several hospitals in DR Congo before arriving in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where he died a few days later.

Those still being treated are three other relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner.

The US has warned its citizens against travelling to Kenya, while neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia are also on alert.

Ebola is a rare but deadly disease caused by a virus. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding.