Kenya confirms first Ebola death as DRC outbreak spreads

Kenya recorded its first Ebola death on Monday. The victim was a local man who had lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the past seven years.

He fell ill about a month before his arrival in Kenya and was treated at various hospitals in the DRC. The man then traveled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding a flight to Nairobi on Saturday afternoon. He went directly to a hospital upon arrival, was isolated, tested positive for Ebola, and died late Monday. Health Minister Aden Duale confirmed the case and death.

Contact tracing and quarantine efforts underway

Authorities have identified dozens of people who had direct contact with the patient. Around ten of the man’s relatives have been identified as contacts and are cooperative, with some volunteering for quarantine. In total, 28 contacts have been identified, including family members and attending healthcare workers.

The Kenyan government is working with the airline to contact 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight from Entebbe to Kampala. Twenty-one health workers who served the victim in hospital, along with lab nurses and other staff, have also been contacted. The plan is to quarantine all these health workers and staff of Nairobi Hospital. Contacts will remain in isolation for 21 days and be released after testing negative.

Regional response and preparedness measures activated

The World Health Organization and other agencies had been supporting Ebola preparedness in Kenya even before this confirmed case. WHO is now supporting Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda through contact tracing, surveillance, and screening. It is working with the Africa CDC to mobilize member states to strengthen regional coordination and disease surveillance.

UNICEF supported community risk management and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in vulnerable locations. WHO focused on strengthening surveillance systems and improving case management capacity. It delivered about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya. The Africa CDC commended the rapid identification of the patient and dispatched a high-level team to offer support.

Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, the WHO Representative in Kenya, stated that the coming days would be decisive in preventing community spread. She emphasized that proper contact listing and quarantining is key to containment. Dr. Kimambo advised the public not to panic but to take necessary precautions quickly, including seeking care at a health facility if unwell. She stressed the need for utmost hygiene.

Outbreak context and regional implications

The victim fell ill in the DRC, where a deadly and fast-growing outbreak continues to spread in the east. The outbreak was declared in mid-May and has since recorded at least 8,400 cases and more than 4,000 deaths. It has spread to seven provinces in Congo.

Kenya is the fourth country to record an Ebola case in this regional outbreak. Uganda has recorded 20 cases and France one. Before Kenya’s case, there were no active Ebola cases outside Congo since Uganda declared its outbreak over in late August. Responders in Congo face attacks on health teams, misinformation, and rebel violence.

The Ebola strain involved is the Bundibugyo strain. So far, there have been no other infections in Kenya besides this first case. Contacts will remain in isolation for 21 days and be released after testing negative.