Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case and death after a Kenyan national, who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years, died in Nairobi. The patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been experiencing symptoms for about a month before traveling to Kenya. According to Kenya's Health Minister, Aden Duale, the patient received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC before traveling to Kampala, Uganda, and then boarding a flight to Nairobi.
The patient underwent routine screening at Nairobi's main airport before being taken to a hospital by a relative. After being admitted to Nairobi Hospital, the patient was transferred to an isolation facility built during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duale stated that the patient developed symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, painful swallowing, muscle pain, and bleeding under the skin. Doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever based on the patient's symptoms and travel history.
The sample collected from the patient tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus. Duale confirmed that the patient died at 11:30 pm on Monday, and their burial was scheduled for Tuesday in line with public health protocols. The Kenyan government has identified at least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, and efforts are ongoing to trace 23 passengers and four crew members who traveled on the same flight.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, a relatively rare strain for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths have been recorded since the emergence of the Bundibugyo species. The DRC declared an Ebola outbreak in May, followed by cases in Uganda, where two people died.
The WHO declared Uganda free of the disease in August, with subsequent cases reported in the DRC. Kenya's Health Minister, Aden Duale, has assured the public that the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The government has activated its emergency response team to coordinate the response efforts.
Health experts have expressed concern about the risk of further spread of the disease, given the patient's travel history and the fact that the virus can be transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. The Kenyan government has urged the public to remain calm and to report any suspected cases to the authorities.
The Kenyan government is working closely with the WHO and other international partners to respond to the outbreak. The government has also activated its public health protocols to ensure that any suspected cases are quickly identified and isolated.
Key points
- The patient traveled from DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding a flight to Nairobi.
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.
- The Kenyan government has identified at least 28 contacts and is tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who traveled on the same flight.
