𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐑𝐂

Kenya has recorded its first confirmed Ebola case and death after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) returned to the country and later tested positive for the virus.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, October 6, saying the man died at about 11:30pm on Monday while receiving treatment in Nairobi.

The patient, whose identity has not been made public, had lived in the DRC for several years and fell ill about a month ago. He received treatment at several health facilities in the DRC before travelling overland to Kampala, Uganda, and later flying to Nairobi on October 3.

According to Duale, the man arrived in Nairobi after travelling from Kampala and was screened at the Port Health facility at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). He was later taken to Nairobi Hospital by a relative and a friend.

The patient was isolated after developing symptoms associated with viral haemorrhagic fever. He had fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding under the skin around injection sites.

“Based on the above presentation and history of travel to DRC, the doctor considered this a case of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever,” Duale said.

Samples collected from the patient later tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.

Duale said health officials had identified 28 people who had been in contact with the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers.

He added that authorities were also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight as the patient.

“So far, we have listed 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers,” Duale said.

“We are also pursuing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the deceased.”

The Health CS said quarantine arrangements had been prepared for people considered at risk and assured Kenyans that the government was taking measures to prevent further spread.

“I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Duale said.

The government also plans to conduct a safe and dignified burial for the deceased in line with public health protocols.Kenya has been monitoring the Ebola situation in the region since an outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus was declared in the DRC in May.

The World Health Organization says the outbreak was the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976.

The outbreak also affected Uganda after cases were imported from the DRC. Uganda later declared itself free of Ebola in August after recording 20 cases and two deaths.

The situation in the DRC remains serious. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as of October 3, the DRC had recorded 8,442 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,080 related deaths, with cases reported in several provinces including Ituri and North Kivu.Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has also warned of a sharp increase in cases in North Kivu, saying the province accounted for nearly 40 per cent of newly confirmed cases nationwide by early October.

The organisation said treatment capacity remained insufficient as new hotspots emerged.The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.

Unlike some other Ebola strains, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, although research into potential treatments and vaccines is ongoing.

Kenyan health authorities have urged the public to remain calm, observe hygiene measures and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to an infected person.