NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case in a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced.
The patient arrived in Nairobi on Saturday and has since died, Duale said.
Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and health workers.
The case comes amid a major Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
According to Duale, the patient had been living in the DRC for the past seven years and fell ill about a month ago and was treated at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling to Uganda by road as he made his way back to Kenya.
Duale said the patient later boarded a Jambo Jet flight carrying 23 passengers and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 3, at 1:10 pm.
He further revealed that the patient underwent routine public health screening at JKIA before proceeding through the immigration desk.
DRC outbreak has killed more than 4,000
The case comes amid a major outbreak in the DRC, caused by Bundibugyo virus. As of October 2, the DRC had reported 8,442 confirmed cases and 4,080 related deaths across seven provinces, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Uganda, which reported 20 cases and two deaths, was declared free of the disease in August.
Bundibugyo virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or contaminated items.
The incubation period can range from two to 21 days.
The Kenya National Public Health Institute advises anyone who suspects Ebola exposure or illness to call the public health emergency line on 719 and avoid close contact with others while awaiting instructions.
