Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case as patient dies in Nairobi

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola virus disease, with the patient having died in Nairobi, the country's capital, after travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said during a media briefing that the patient was infected with the Ebola Bundibugyo virus and died on Monday night after being admitted to a Nairobi hospital.

"The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease," Duale said.

Duale said health authorities have identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers who attended to him

The patient lived and worked in the DRC for seven years and fell ill about a month ago, receiving treatment at several hospitals there before traveling by road to Uganda and later continuing to Kenya.

Duale said the patient boarded a Jambojet flight carrying 23 passengers and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Saturday. He underwent a routine public health screening at the airport before proceeding through immigration.

"Relatives and friends then took him to Nairobi Hospital, where he was immediately isolated. He presented with fever, chills, severe fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, and bleeding under the skin," Duale said, adding that authorities are also tracing the 23 passengers and four crew members who traveled on the same flight as the patient.

The case comes as the DRC continues to battle an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus. According to data reported by the DRC government on October 3, the country has recorded 8,442 confirmed cases and 4,080 related deaths.