WHO: Kenya’s first Ebola patient may have contracted virus while seeking treatment in DRC

The circumstances surrounding Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola have become clearer, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggesting the patient may have contracted the virus while seeking treatment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In its latest Disease Outbreak News report, WHO says the patient had been ill for about a month before his death in Nairobi.

The timeline raises the possibility that he initially sought treatment for another condition before acquiring Ebola, either at a health facility or in the community.

“Given the timelines of the illness, and the one-month time from initial symptoms to death, it is presumed he was not initially sick with BVD (Bundibugyo Virus Disease), but became infected with BVD in a health facility or community while seeking care for another ailment,” said WHO.

As investigators work to establish where the infection occurred, the Ministry of Health is dispatching laboratory equipment and protective gear to designated Ebola response facilities nationwide.

The government is also racing to complete contact tracing within 48 hours while assuring health workers of its full support.

“The contact tracing is proceeding very well currently, but we need to push to 100% in the next 48 hours. Logistics: we have received commodities worth 171 million, and the distribution list has been finalised, and it begins today,” said Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.

As Kenya tightens its Ebola response, Canada has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country and monitor for symptoms for 21 days after departure.

The WHO, however, has cautioned against blanket travel restrictions.

“We commend the Kenyan government for its prompt action and reporting the case to WHO and the International Health Regulations in a timely way. WHO advises against blanket travel or trade restrictions, which are less restrictive and less effective than screening, contact tracing and other measures. Transparency should be rewarded, not punished,” said WHO DG Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.

But while the timeline has shaped WHO’s assessment, the source of infection remains unconfirmed.

Investigators are retracing the patient’s medical history and movements to establish where he contracted the virus and whether others were exposed.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to battle a major Ebola outbreak, with WHO citing gaps in contact tracing and deaths occurring outside treatment centres.

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