Kenya Confirms First Ebola Death as Outbreak Spreads

Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case after a citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died in Nairobi.

Kenya’s Health Minister, Mr Aden Duale, said the patient had been ill for about a month before travelling by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, and subsequently flying to Nairobi on Saturday.

The patient underwent routine health screening after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before being taken to hospital by a relative.

He was later admitted to Nairobi Hospital with symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, painful swallowing, muscle pain and bleeding beneath the skin.

Health officials suspected viral haemorrhagic fever because of his symptoms and travel history, and laboratory testing subsequently confirmed infection with the Ebola Bundibugyo virus.

The patient died at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday while receiving supportive treatment.

Duale said arrangements were being made for a safe and dignified burial in accordance with public health protocols.

Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, and are working to trace 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight as the deceased.

The authorities said those identified as contacts would be monitored as part of measures to prevent further transmission.

Kenya becomes the latest country affected by the Ebola outbreak that began in the DRC and subsequently spread to Uganda. Uganda recorded 20 cases and two deaths before being declared free of Ebola in August.

The DRC outbreak, caused by the relatively rare Bundibugyo strain, has recorded more than 8,000 confirmed cases and over 4,000 deaths, according to recent government figures.

The World Health Organisation has warned that population movement and cross-border travel could complicate efforts to contain the outbreak.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, including those who have died from the disease. It can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, although treatment and vaccine trials are underway.