Kenya records first Ebola death after case linked to DR Congo
Kenya has reported its first death from Ebola after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after returning home, the country’s health minister said on Tuesday.
The man, described by officials as a 40-year-old businessman, became ill about a month ago while in the DRC, where he received medical treatment.
He later travelled by road to Uganda’s capital, Kampala, before flying to Nairobi on October 3. Kenyan authorities have not publicly released his name.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in May. According to health authorities, Ebola has caused more than 15,000 deaths across Africa over the past five decades.
Kenya had not previously recorded an Ebola case. Uganda, which borders Kenya, reported 20 cases linked largely to people who had travelled from the DRC. Two people died before Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said it was sending a team to Kenya to support the country’s response. Its Director General Jean Kaseya is also expected to visit Kenya in the coming days.
Kenyan health authorities are expected to strengthen monitoring and response measures as they work to identify and assess people who may have been exposed to the virus.
