Kenya’s Health Ministry has confirmed the country’s first imported Ebola case from Congo.
Health Minister Aden Duale said Tuesday that the patient, a Kenyan citizen who arrived Saturday from Congo via Uganda, was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital after developing symptoms of hemorrhagic fever and testing positive for Ebola virus. The patient died late Monday.
Duale said 28 contacts, including family members and health workers, have been identified, while 23 passengers who traveled on same flight from Uganda are being traced. They will remain in isolation for 21 days.
Director of Medical Services, Patrick Amoth, said patient will be buried within 24 hours in line with public safety protocols.
He said health authorities have placed country on high alert.
Kenya is fourth country to record case in current outbreak declared in eastern Congo in mid-May. Uganda had recorded 20 cases and France one. There had been no active cases outside Congo since Uganda declared its outbreak over in late August.
The outbreak is being caused by rare Bundibugyo virus for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
