Gov’t conducts second Ebola burial under strict public health protocols

The second person who died after contracting Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease was buried on Saturday in an elaborate event that was headlined by public health protocols.

The body of the 65-year-old woman who died from Ebola on Friday was transported to the Lang’ata cemetery under tight security, with the grave being disinfected after nearly every stage of burial.

Citizen TV has obtained exclusive footage of the event where no unauthorised person was allowed within 500 metres of the grave, and all protective gear was disinfected and burned.

Ten health workers, fully kitted and equipped, formed a ring around the vehicle which ferried the body close to the graveside.

Family, friends and curious onlookers were cordoned 500 metres from the grave, which was disinfected for the first round.

The body, wrapped in a whole bag, was then lowered before it was sealed down by throwing soil into the four corners, before a second round of disinfection

The grave was then filled and disinfected in three intervals before the final round of sealing and disinfection on and around the grave.

The vehicle which carried the body was again disinfected before it drove away. The health workers then systematically disinfected the protective gear, before lumping them in a corner, setting them ablaze.

The deceased was one of nine individuals who were receiving treatment for the Bundibugyo virus disease, after they were traced to the first case reported in the country.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the Ebola virus spreads when a person comes into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or their body.

So far, Kenya has confirmed 9 cases of Ebola with two fatalities arising from the disease.