Kenya Reports First Ebola Case Imported from Congo, Patient Dies

News Desk

Nairobi: Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola, involving a Kenyan citizen who had been residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and arrived in Nairobi on October 3, Health Minister Aden Duale announced.

The patient, who has not been identified, succumbed to the virus shortly after being diagnosed.

Duale revealed that the individual had fallen ill approximately a month prior and had received treatment in the DRC before traveling overland to Kampala, Uganda, and then flying to Nairobi.

Upon arrival, he was screened and tested positive for the virus, passing away late last night. “I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Duale stated during a press conference.

This incident marks a significant health concern for Kenya, which has never recorded an Ebola case before.

The government has faced public backlash over plans to establish an Ebola treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, located about 200 kilometers from Nairobi, earlier this year.

The emergence of this case raises alarms about the potential for an outbreak and the need for heightened vigilance among health authorities and the public.

Health officials have identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers, who are now being monitored.

The Ministry of Health is expected to implement further measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including public awareness campaigns and enhanced screening protocols at entry points.