Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed Kenya's first recorded case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease at an official press conference on October 6. The patient, a Kenyan citizen, had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years before returning home. Duale disclosed that the patient arrived in Kenya on October 3 after falling ill approximately one month earlier and receiving treatment at several hospitals in the DRC.
The patient travelled from the DRC to Kampala by road, before boarding Jambojet flight 8523 to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Upon arrival, the patient passed through standard public health screening at JKIA and was transported by a relative to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated in an emergency room. At the hospital, he presented with symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.
Doctors considered viral haemorrhagic fever as the likely diagnosis given the patient's travel history and clinical presentation. Samples collected subsequently tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory run by the National Public Health Institute and the Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratory. The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on at around 11:30 pm.
The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts who interacted with the deceased, and is pursuing 23 passengers and four crew members from Jambojet flight 8523. Duale confirmed that quarantine arrangements for individuals deemed at risk are already in place. Director General for Health Patrick Amoth said Ebola incubation is between two and 21 days, and anyone who develops symptoms within this period will be transported to an Ebola treatment unit for care.
Safe and dignified burial proceedings, conducted in line with established Ebola public health protocols, were planned for later on Tuesday. The Ministry of Health is working to prevent further spread of the disease. Amoth emphasized the importance of monitoring for symptoms within the incubation period.
The US has announced $242 million in funding for response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Previously, new Ebola-related travel restrictions affecting passengers flying to the United States were reported, requiring passengers to provide details of their travel plans if denied boarding.
The Kenyan government is working to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor contacts and provide support to those affected.
Key points
- Kenya confirms first Ebola case and death, a Kenyan citizen who lived in DRC for 7 years before returning home on October 3.
- The patient presented with symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.
- The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts who interacted with the deceased and is pursuing 23 passengers and four crew members from Jambojet flight 8523.
