Kenya confirms first Ebola case imported from Congo, patient has died

Kenya has reported its first confirmed case of Ebola, a virus imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the patient succumbing to the disease, Health Minister Aden Duale announced on a press conference. The patient, a Kenyan national who resided in Congo, arrived in Nairobi on Saturday. To date, 28 potential contacts have been identified, encompassing family members and healthcare workers, according to Duale.

The Ebola outbreak in Congo, caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, is the country's most extensive outbreak ever, declared in mid-May but may have begun earlier. Congo has reported over 8,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths so far. Despite containment efforts, the outbreak persists, earlier spreading to Uganda with 20 cases and 2 deaths.

However, Uganda was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization in August. Ebola transmission occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, both living and deceased. The virus can lead to symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, bleeding both internally and externally.