A Kenyan citizen who had been living in Congo returned to Nairobi over the weekend and has become the first confirmed case of Ebola in Kenya, as well as the first death from the disease during the current outbreak, according to health authorities. The individual had been residing in Congo for seven years and began showing symptoms approximately one month ago. He received treatment at various hospitals before traveling by road to Kampala, Uganda, where he boarded a flight to Nairobi, arriving on Saturday afternoon, as stated by Health Minister Aden Duale.
In response to the case, health authorities in Kenya have heightened alert at border points and are monitoring for potential additional cases. The patient was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital, where he tested positive for the Ebola virus and died late Monday.
Ebola is known to be highly contagious, spreading through contact with bodily fluids and contaminated materials. The current outbreak was declared in mid-May and has resulted in over 8,400 cases and more than 4,000 deaths, making it the fastest-growing outbreak in history.
Kenya has not previously experienced an Ebola outbreak, according to the Kenya Medical Research Institute. The country has a U.S.-funded isolation center for American citizens exposed to Ebola, which has faced legal challenges and local protests due to fears of exposure.
Kenya is now the fourth country to report an Ebola case in this outbreak, following Uganda and France. Health Minister Duale mentioned that 28 contacts of the patient have been identified, including family members and health workers, and that 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight are also being traced. These contacts will remain in isolation for 21 days and will be released after testing negative for the virus.
After arriving in Nairobi, the patient was taken to Nairobi Hospital in a private vehicle, where he was isolated. He was buried on Tuesday in accordance with public safety protocols. Since May, Kenya has tested 267 samples at five laboratories prior to detecting this case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with Kenya to prevent further spread of the virus and has delivered 1,000 Ebola tests and personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has praised the rapid identification and isolation of the patient and has sent a high-level team to provide support.
In Congo, the outbreak has affected seven provinces, with responders facing challenges such as attacks on health teams, misinformation, and rebel violence. While cases have decreased in Ituri province, new outbreaks are emerging in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The WHO has indicated that this outbreak could surpass the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths in West Africa more than a decade ago.