A Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after returning to Kenya, prompting the health ministry to confirm the country's first Ebola case. The patient, who had been ill for about a month, received treatment in the DRC before traveling through Uganda to Nairobi.
The man, not named, was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital after arriving in the capital on October 3. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated the patient tested positive for Ebola and was under supportive care. He died while receiving treatment, according to officials.
Duale also faced questions from former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who criticized the government’s preparedness for the outbreak. Muturi challenged Duale to explain how the patient bypassed screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), despite being ill for a month.
The case marks the first confirmed Ebola death in Kenya. The patient had been living in the DRC for seven years before returning to Kenya. Health officials emphasized the need for improved screening and public awareness to prevent further spread.
This incident follows reports of Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and neighboring countries. Kenya’s health ministry has now launched an investigation into how the patient entered the country without being detected during initial screening. The case highlights the challenges of containing infectious diseases in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
