Kenya has recorded its first-ever Ebola death after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died shortly after returning to the country.
Health Minister 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 before travelling overland to Uganda.
He later flew from Kampala to Nairobi on October 3, where he was screened and tested positive for Ebola.
Duale said the patient “regrettably passed on last night at around 1130”, marking Kenya’s first recorded death from the deadly virus.
The health minister said authorities had identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers.
So far, he said, only one of the contacts had 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 never recorded an Ebola case, while government plans earlier this year to establish an Ebola treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Nairobi, triggered strong public opposition.
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in mid-May.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past five decades.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of October 2, there had been 8,463 reported cases and 4,082 deaths since the emergence of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
Kenyan health authorities are continuing to monitor identified contacts and strengthen surveillance measures to prevent further transmission.