Kenya reports first-ever Ebola death

Kenya has made history by reporting its first-ever Ebola death, announced by the health minister on Tuesday. The deceased Kenyan man, who had previously resided in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), contracted the virus after his return to Kenya. In May, the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, an extremely deadly disease responsible for over 15,000 fatalities in Africa over the past five decades.

Uganda had previously recorded 20 Ebola cases, mostly among travelers from the DRC, before being declared Ebola-free in August. The Kenyan citizen, whose name has not been disclosed, fell ill around a month ago and received treatment in the DRC before traveling to Uganda and then to Nairobi on October 3. Upon arrival, the man exhibited symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin.

He was later screened and tested positive for the virus, succumbing to the illness the same day at approximately 11:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. GMT). Health Minister Aden Duale informed reporters that authorities identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers, but only one test has confirmed the positive case, which has already been discussed.

Authorities are currently tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight and have prepared for quarantine measures. Duale assured the public not to panic, emphasizing that all necessary systems are in place to prevent the spread of the disease. The Kenyan government had previously faced criticism for its plans to create an Ebola facility at Laikipia Air Base, approximately 200 kilometers from Nairobi.