Kenya confirms first Ebola case; patient who travelled from DR Congo has died

Kenya's Ministry of Health has confirmed the country's first imported case of Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus species. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, according to AP, AllAfrica, SCMP and Medical Xpress/AFP; Reuters and The Guardian also reported the announcement. Kenya had never previously recorded a confirmed Ebola case. The patient, an unnamed Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has died.

According to Duale, the man fell ill about a month earlier and was treated in the DRC. He travelled overland into Uganda, reaching Kampala, according to SCMP and Medical Xpress/AFP. He then flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October. Duale said the man was screened in Kenya, tested positive and died at around 23:30 on the night before the announcement. AP reported that he was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital.

Authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and health workers, according to The Guardian, SCMP and Medical Xpress/AFP. Duale said the flight carried 23 passengers and that the man's case is so far the only positive test. "I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease," The Guardian quoted him as saying.

The DRC outbreak was declared in mid-May and has spread to seven provinces. Reported figures differ. Congolese authorities reported 8,300 confirmed cases and 4,018 deaths as of 2 October, according to AllAfrica. Medical Xpress/AFP reported that WHO had recorded 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths as of the same date. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, according to AllAfrica and Medical Xpress/AFP.

What is not yet known: Details are still emerging; Vocemundi will update this story as sources confirm more information.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.