August 9, 1998
Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Death of Former CDC Employee in Kenya

We at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mary Louise Martin, DVM, in the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday. Dr. Martin joined the CDC as a member of the Epidemic Intelligence Service in 1985. Dr. Martin had recently joined the Task Force for Child Survival and Development as the Associate Director, Malarone Donation Program, in Kenya, a project to treat resistant malaria. Dr. Martin was accompanied by her husband, Dr. Douglas Klaucke, a CDC employee, on detail to the World Health Organization office in Nairobi as part of the worldwide polio eradication effort.

Dr. Martin's work and her life were dedicated to the well-being of children. During her tenure at CDC, her work centered on birth defects, especially congenital heart defects. Louise, as she preferred to be called, was not only a champion of children's health worldwide, she was also a loving mother of three, William Russell, 14, James Robert, 11, and Karen Marie, 10.

We know this is a terrible and tragic blow to Doug and their three children. Her death is also strongly felt by the CDC family, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the public health community at large. Our sincerest condolences are extended to her entire family.

In addition, a Kenyan citizen, working for CDC as a driver is missing. Also, the wife of a CDC employee and another Kenyan citizen, who is a long time CDC employee, were injured and have been transported to Frankfurt, Germany. Five other CDC employees have been confirmed safe.

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