The Ministry of Health has confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Ebola virus disease in Nairobi, with the patient dying on Monday night, October 5.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the announcement on Tuesday, October 6, revealing that the patient had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda before arriving in Kenya.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease,” Duale said.
According to the CS, the patient had lived and worked in the DRC for seven years. He fell ill about a month ago and sought treatment at several health facilities in the DRC before travelling by road to Uganda while returning to Kenya.
Duale said the patient later boarded a Jambojet flight from Uganda to Nairobi alongside 23 passengers and four crew members. The flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 3, at 1:10pm.
The patient underwent routine public health screening at the airport before proceeding to the immigration desk.
He was subsequently picked up by relatives and friends in a Toyota Fielder and taken directly to Nairobi Hospital, where he was immediately isolated in a separate room.
At the hospital, the patient presented with symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing and bleeding beneath the skin.
“Based on the presentation and history of travel, the doctors considered his case to be viral fever and collected samples for testing, which turned positive for Ebola,” Duale said.
Samples collected from the patient were tested independently at the National Virology Reference Laboratory, operated by the National Public Health Institute, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Both laboratories confirmed the Ebola infection.
The patient was subsequently placed on supportive treatment but died at 11:30pm on Monday, October 5, according to the Ministry of Health.
“Arrangements for the safe and dignified burial of the deceased are ongoing, and the burial is planned for later today in line with Ebola-safe and dignified burial protocols,” Duale said.
The Ministry has identified 28 people who came into contact with the deceased, including relatives and healthcare workers who attended to him during his illness.
“We are also pursuing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight with the deceased,” Duale added.
Duale said the government had activated measures to prevent further transmission of the virus, including the training of 4,971 healthcare workers at both national and county levels on Ebola prevention and management.
The government has also notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the confirmed case. “All systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” the CS reiterated.
