Kenya's health ministry confirmed the first imported Ebola case, with a patient dying after returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The death marks Kenya as the fourth country affected by the ongoing outbreak.
The patient, a Kenyan citizen, had been living in Congo and traveled to Nairobi via Uganda. He died after symptoms developed a month prior, including fever, chills, and bleeding under the skin. Health officials identified 28 contacts and are tracing additional individuals on the same flight.
The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, has infected over 8,000 people in the DRC with more than 4,000 deaths. Kenya's health ministry emphasizes preparedness, with protocols in place to prevent further spread. The patient is set to be buried Tuesday in accordance with public health guidelines.
The outbreak in the DRC, declared in mid-May, may have started months earlier. Experts warn the situation could become the deadliest due to ongoing violence and limited healthcare resources in the region.