A Kenyan man died in Nairobi after contracting the virus during a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, health officials confirmed. The patient, who had lived in Congo for seven years, arrived in Kenya on Saturday via Uganda. He was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital before passing away.
The case marks Kenya’s first recorded Ebola infection and the third country in the region to report a case linked to the ongoing epidemic in eastern Congo. Uganda previously reported 20 cases but was declared Ebola-free in August. The patient had been ill for about a month before traveling.
Health Minister Aden Duale stated the individual had been isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital. The case highlights the risk of cross-border transmission, especially with the virus already affecting over 8,000 people in Congo.
The outbreak in Congo has seen more than 4,000 deaths, making it the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record. Kenya’s confirmation of the case raises concerns about potential spread within the country.
This is the second confirmed case in East Africa after Uganda, which was declared free of the virus in August. The situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and public health measures to prevent further transmission.
