Kenyans React After Duale Confirms First Ebola Case in Kenya as Patient Dies in Nairobi

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola virus disease after a patient who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda tested positive in Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, October 6, saying the patient had lived and worked in the DRC for seven years before falling ill about a month ago.

The patient reportedly received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling by road to Uganda as he made his way back to Kenya.

Duale said the patient later boarded a Jambojet flight carrying 23 passengers and four crew members. The flight arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 3, at 1:10pm.

The patient underwent routine public health screening at the airport before completing immigration procedures. He was then picked up by relatives and friends and taken directly to Nairobi Hospital in a Toyota Fielder.

At the hospital, he was immediately isolated after presenting with symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing and bleeding under the skin.

Doctors considered his travel history and symptoms before collecting samples for testing. The samples were examined at the National Virology Reference Laboratory operated by the National Public Health Institute and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

Both laboratories confirmed that the patient had Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.

The Ministry of Health said the patient was placed on supportive treatment but died at 11:30pm on Monday, October 5. Arrangements for his burial were underway, with authorities saying Ebola-safe and dignified burial procedures would be followed.

The ministry has identified 28 contacts linked to the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to him during his treatment.

Health authorities are also tracing the 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight with the patient.

Duale said the government had trained 4,971 healthcare workers at national and county levels on Ebola prevention and management. Kenya has also notified the World Health Organisation about the confirmed case.

The Health CS assured Kenyans that measures had been put in place to prevent further transmission of the disease, saying all systems were in place to mitigate the spread of Ebola.

https://www.facebook.com/100064288795404/posts/1538296681656610/?app=fbl

Antoblog [email protected]