Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years died in Nairobi.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient had fallen ill about a month ago and received treatment at several health facilities in the DRC before travelling to Kenya through Uganda.
The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala and later flew to Nairobi on Saturday, 3 October. He underwent routine health screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before being taken to Nairobi Hospital by a relative.
Duale said the patient was subsequently moved to an isolation facility that had been used during the COVID-19 pandemic after developing symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, painful swallowing, muscle pain and bleeding under the skin.
Laboratory tests confirmed that he had the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is responsible for the ongoing outbreak in the DRC.
The patient died at about 11.30pm on Monday while receiving supportive treatment, according to Duale. Authorities are making arrangements for a safe and dignified burial in line with Ebola prevention protocols.
Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, and are tracing another 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.
The government has heightened surveillance and contact tracing efforts as it works to prevent further transmission of the virus.
