Kenya has reported its first Ebola-related death in its history. Health officials in the country announced on Tuesday that a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo lost their life after returning to Kenya via Uganda.
Details of the Patient's Death
Aden Duale, Kenya's Minister of Health, stated that the patient returned to Kenya at the end of last week and had been receiving treatment in Congo for a month prior. They traveled overland to Uganda's capital, Kampala, and then flew to Nairobi on October 3.
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According to Duale, the individual exhibited symptoms at the time of death, including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at injection sites. The patient passed away on Monday night, and their burial is expected to take place on Tuesday in accordance with public health recommendations.
Preventive Measures and Follow-ups
The Kenyan Minister of Health also announced that 28 individuals who had contact with the patient, including relatives and healthcare workers, have been identified and are currently in quarantine. Additionally, 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight from Uganda are also being monitored.
Duale reassured the public that there is no need for concern, as all systems are in place to prevent the spread of this disease. He also noted that this situation arises as the Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared an Ebola outbreak since mid-May.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 4,000 Ebola-related deaths out of 8,400 recorded cases during this outbreak. This Ebola outbreak is recognized as the fastest and largest in history, and efforts to contain it have faced numerous challenges due to weak health resources and ongoing violence in Congo.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids and can present symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. Some patients may also experience internal or external bleeding.
Over the past 50 years, more than 15,000 people in Africa have lost their lives due to this disease.
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