Kenya has recorded its first Ebola death after a man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died following his return to the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the death on Tuesday, saying the man, whose identity was not disclosed, had fallen ill about a month ago and received treatment in the DRC.
Duale said the man travelled overland to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi on October 3, where he was screened and tested positive for Ebola.
He died at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday, the minister said.
According to Duale, health authorities have identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers. He said only one of those contacts had so far tested positive.
“I wish to assure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Duale said.
Kenya had previously not recorded an Ebola case, although public concern was raised earlier this year over government plans to establish an Ebola treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, about 200 kilometres from Nairobi.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in mid-May.
The disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past five decades.
The World Health Organization reported that, as of October 2, there had been 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths since the emergence of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
There is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
