Kenya confirms first Ebola case as patient dies in Nairobi

Kenya has reported its first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease, with a patient who had traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda succumbing to the illness while in treatment in Nairobi. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, October 6, stating that the individual arrived in Kenya from the DRC following a stopover in Uganda.

Duale explained that the patient had lived and worked in the DRC for seven years prior to falling ill about a month ago. He received treatment at multiple hospitals in the DRC before traveling by road to Uganda en route to Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 3, the patient underwent routine public health screening and was subsequently transported to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated in a separate room.

Initial symptoms included fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, and bleeding under the skin. Following positive tests at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the patient was placed on supportive treatment but tragically passed away on Monday, October 5.

The Ministry of Health is actively identifying 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers, and is also investigating the 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient. Kenya has reinforced surveillance and response measures, having trained 4,971 healthcare workers on Ebola prevention and management.

The Ministry has notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of the confirmed case, reaffirming that all systems are in place to prevent the disease's spread.