Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola, a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. Health Minister Aden Duale stated that the patient fell ill a month ago and was treated in several hospitals in DR Congo before traveling to Nairobi, where he died days later. The patient had undergone normal public screening at the main airport in Nairobi before being transferred to a hospital in the city.
The current outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is relatively rare and has no known vaccine. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 4,000 people have died from Ebola in DR Congo this year, making it the second most deadly known outbreak of the disease. The WHO declared Uganda free of the disease in August, but all cases have been reported in DR Congo since then.
The patient first traveled by road from DR Congo to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where he boarded a flight to Nairobi. After being taken to the Nairobi Hospital, the patient was transferred to an isolation facility built during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was there that the patient developed symptoms such as fever, chills, intense fatigue, and weakness, leading doctors to suspect a viral haemorrhagic fever.
The patient's sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus, and he died at 23:30 on Monday. His burial is planned for later on Tuesday, in line with public health safety protocols. At least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, have been identified, while health authorities are tracing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who traveled on the same flight.
The WHO has recorded 4,082 deaths out of 8,463 cases since the emergence of the Bundibugyo species of the virus. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for this species, which is highly infectious. The Kenyan government has taken measures to contain the spread of the disease, including identifying contacts and tracing passengers who traveled on the same flight.
The outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo has been ongoing since May, with the disease also reported in Uganda, where two people died. However, the WHO declared Uganda free of the disease in August. The Kenyan government has been working closely with the WHO and other health organizations to contain the spread of the disease and prevent further outbreaks.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to remain calm and take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Health authorities are working to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. The government has also assured the public that it is taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of Ebola, including enhancing surveillance and screening at airports and other entry points.
Key points
- Kenya confirms its first Ebola death, a Kenyan citizen who had been living in DR Congo.
- The current outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is relatively rare and has no known vaccine.
- The WHO has recorded 4,082 deaths out of 8,463 cases since the emergence of the Bundibugyo species of the virus.
