Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola death after a Kenyan national who lived in DR Congo for seven years died in Nairobi, prompting contact tracing and heightened health measures.
NAIROBI, Kenya (Somali Report) — Kenya has confirmed its first death from Ebola after a Kenyan national who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years died in Nairobi, Health Minister Aden Barre Duale said.
The patient had been ill for nearly a month and received treatment at several hospitals in DR Congo before travelling to Kenya, Duale said. He arrived in Nairobi by plane on Saturday and underwent routine screening at the airport before later being taken to hospital.
According to the health minister, the patient developed symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue and weakness, painful swallowing, muscle aches and bleeding beneath the skin. Medical tests subsequently confirmed that he had contracted Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The patient died late Monday, prompting Kenyan health authorities to activate public health measures aimed at preventing further transmission. Officials said his burial would be conducted under special public health protocols designed to limit the risk of infection.
Authorities have so far identified at least 28 people who may have come into contact with the patient, including family members and healthcare workers. Health officials are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were aboard the same flight that brought the patient to Nairobi.
The case has raised fresh concerns about the potential spread of Ebola across East Africa as the disease continues to circulate in neighbouring DR Congo. The World Health Organization has reported that the current outbreak in DR Congo has caused 4,082 deaths among 8,463 confirmed cases.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, including blood and vomit. The virus can cause severe illness, with symptoms often including fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and bleeding in some patients.
The Bundibugyo strain is considered relatively rare. Unlike some other Ebola strains, there is currently no vaccine or treatment specifically approved for Bundibugyo Ebola, although several vaccine candidates are undergoing development and clinical trials.
How Ebola came to Kenya
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40-year-old man travelled from DRC to Kenya. Patient travelled by road through DRC and Uganda
Patient flew into Kenya through JKIA on Saturday. Patient died two days after arriving in Kenya
The outbreak in DR Congo has also prompted warnings from medical organisations operating in the region. Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, has warned that the situation is deteriorating, with the virus spreading rapidly in parts of eastern DR Congo.
North Kivu province, which borders Ituri where the outbreak was initially detected, is now among the areas reporting a significant increase in cases, according to the organisation.
Kenyan authorities are seeking to contain the imported case before it develops into wider community transmission. Health workers have been instructed to strengthen infection-prevention and control measures in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Duale urged the public not to panic, saying health authorities had taken the necessary measures to contain the disease and protect communities.
The confirmed case represents a significant test for Kenya's disease surveillance system, particularly given the country's extensive travel and trade links with DR Congo and other countries in the region.
Authorities are continuing contact tracing and monitoring people considered to have been exposed to the patient as they assess whether additional infections have occurred.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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