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Kenya has recorded its first-ever Ebola death after a citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tested positive for the virus and died in Nairobi, prompting authorities to trace dozens of people who may have come into contact with him.
Health Minister Aden Duale said Tuesday that the man, whose identity was not disclosed, had fallen ill about a month earlier and received treatment in the DRC before making his way back to Kenya.
He travelled overland to Kampala, the capital of neighbouring Uganda, before flying to Nairobi on Oct. 3.
According to Duale, the patient had experienced fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding beneath the skin around injection sites.
The man was later screened and confirmed to have Ebola. Duale said he "regrettably passed on last night at around 1130" in the evening, corresponding to 8:30 p.m. GMT.
Authorities have identified 28 contacts linked to the deceased, including relatives and healthcare workers. Duale said that among those tested so far, only the deceased patient had returned a positive result.
Officials were also trying to track down another 23 passengers and four crew members who had travelled on the same flight as the man. Arrangements had been made to quarantine people considered at risk.
"I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease," Duale said.
Authorities were also preparing a "safe and dignified burial" in accordance with public health standards, although the minister did not provide further details.
Kenya had never previously reported an Ebola case. Uganda, meanwhile, recorded 20 cases, almost all involving people who had travelled from the DRC, as well as two deaths before being declared Ebola-free in August.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in mid-May, adding to the toll of a highly deadly viral disease that has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.
The current outbreak began in the northeastern province of Ituri before spreading across seven provinces in northern and eastern parts of the country.
As of Oct. 2, the World Health Organization had recorded 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths since the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola emerged in the DRC. According to the information provided, there is currently neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment for this strain.
Efforts to bring the outbreak under control have been complicated by armed clashes, violence and severe resource shortages in affected areas.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres on Monday warned of an "alarming surge" in cases in eastern North Kivu province, which borders Uganda.
The outbreak has also raised concerns inside Kenya. Earlier this year, plans to set up an Ebola facility at Laikipia Air Base, around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Nairobi, drew anger from the public.
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