Kenya reports first-ever Ebola death

Kenya has experienced its first Ebola fatality, announced health minister Aden Duale on Tuesday, following the return of a Kenyan man from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In mid-May, the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, a highly lethal disease responsible for over 15,000 deaths in Africa over the past five decades. Prior to this, Uganda had reported 20 cases and two deaths from travelers who had visited the DRC before being declared Ebola-free in August.

The unnamed Kenyan citizen, who had been unwell for about a month, was treated in the DRC before traveling to Kampala, Uganda, and then flying to Nairobi on October 3. Duale detailed the man's symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and skin bleeding at injection sites. The patient tested positive for the virus and unfortunately passed away last night around 11:30 PM (11:30 PM GMT).

Health officials identified 28 close contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers, but as of now, only one additional positive case has been reported. Authorities are investigating 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight with the deceased, and arrangements for potential quarantine have been made. Duale calmed the public, assuring them that all systems were in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

A burial plan for the deceased will be carried out in a safe and dignified manner, following public health standards. The exact details of the burial were not disclosed. The DRC outbreak, which began in Ituri province and has since spread to seven provinces in the north and east, has claimed 4,082 lives out of 8,463 cases since the emergence of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

This strain, lacking a vaccine or specific treatment, has plagued unstable regions in central Africa, where armed conflicts and a lack of resources have hampered the health response.