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Kenya has recorded its first-ever death from Ebola after a Kenyan man who had been residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died shortly after returning to the country.
Health Minister Aden Duale announced the development on Tuesday, saying the man had fallen ill about a month ago while in the DRC, where he received medical treatment.
According to Duale, the man travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi on October 3. He was screened after arriving in Kenya and subsequently tested positive for Ebola.
The minister said the patient died at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday.
Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 people who came into contact with the deceased, including relatives and healthcare workers.
Duale said only one of the 28 contacts had so far tested positive for the virus.
“I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” the minister said.
The development marks the first time Kenya has officially recorded an Ebola case and death.
Kenya had previously faced public concern over plans to establish an Ebola treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, located about 200 kilometres from Nairobi. The proposal attracted strong reactions from residents earlier this year.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in May, with the disease continuing to pose a major public health concern in parts of Africa.
Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.
The World Health Organization reported that, as of October 2, there had been 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths since the emergence of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for that strain.
Kenyan authorities said they would continue monitoring identified contacts and implementing measures aimed at preventing further transmission.
