Kenya has recorded its first case and death from the Ebola Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced.
The virus is a severe form of Ebola disease that can cause serious illness and death.
Ebola patient arrived from DRC
According to Duale, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who returned to the country on October 3 after spending seven years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The patient reportedly fell ill about a month ago while in the DRC. He received treatment at several hospitals before travelling to Uganda by road.
From Kampala, he boarded Jambojet flight 8523 and travelled to Nairobi.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), health officials carried out the normal public health screening.
A relative and a friend then transported him from the airport to Nairobi Hospital in a Toyota Fielder.
The hospital immediately isolated him in its emergency department before moving him to an isolation facility in the East Wing.
Patient showed Ebola symptoms
Medical tests showed that the patient had several serious symptoms.
These included fever, extreme fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding under the skin at the injection site.
Doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever and collected samples for testing.
The tests later confirmed that the patient had Ebola, Duale said.
Despite receiving supportive treatment, the patient died on Monday at around 11:30pm.
Authorities plan to bury the deceased later today under strict Ebola public health protocols.
Health officials trace Ebola contacts
The Ministry of Health has identified 28 people who had contact with the deceased.
In addition, health officials are tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same Jambojet flight.
The government has also prepared quarantine arrangements for people considered at risk of infection.
“Arrangements for a quarantine of those at risk have been prepared to protect the public,” Duale said.
The Ministry of Health is expected to continue monitoring the identified contacts as part of efforts to prevent further spread of the virus.
