- Patient recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; health officials identify 28 people who may have been exposed
NAIROBI: Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola-related death, prompting health authorities to launch an urgent contact-tracing operation following the death of a Kenyan citizen who had recently returned to Nairobi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Kenya’s Health Minister said the patient arrived in the capital on Saturday after having been living in the DRC. He subsequently developed symptoms including a high fever and severe bleeding beneath the skin, before dying on Monday.
According to the minister, medication taken by the patient may have initially masked some symptoms of the infection, potentially delaying recognition of the disease.
Health authorities have identified approximately 28 people who had contact with the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers. Officials are currently tracing and monitoring those individuals as part of measures to prevent any potential spread of the virus.
The authorities are also working to establish the patient’s movements and identify any additional contacts who may have been exposed before his death.
The confirmation has placed Kenya’s public-health authorities on heightened alert, particularly given the patient’s recent travel from a region where Ebola infections have previously been reported.
Health officials are expected to continue surveillance and contact tracing while providing medical monitoring and guidance to those identified as potentially exposed.
BY: The Times Union
