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The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, which currently has no approved vaccines or treatments. However, four vaccines are currently in development, with human trials for one candidate beginning in July.
Duale confirmed that the deceased Kenyan national tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. According to the minister, the patient traveled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding a flight to Nairobi.
After being admitted to Nairobi Hospital, the patient was transferred to an isolation facility originally established during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the facility, the patient exhibited symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, painful swallowing, muscle pain, and subcutaneous bleeding.
Based on his symptoms and travel history, doctors suspected a viral hemorrhagic fever and collected samples for testing. The sample tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, Duale stated.
The patient passed away at 23:30 local time on Monday, and his burial is scheduled for Tuesday in accordance with public health safety protocols. Health authorities have identified at least 28 close contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, and are actively tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight.
A senior health ministry official noted that the patient may have bypassed airport screening because the medication he was taking masked his clinical symptoms. In response, Kenya has implemented enhanced screening and border checks following the declaration of the outbreak in the DRC.
The health minister urged Kenyans to remain calm, assuring them that robust systems are in place to prevent the spread of the disease. He also called on healthcare workers to maintain high levels of vigilance and to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control measures, regardless of the specific condition being treated.
