Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola brought on by the Bundibugyo virus, because the outbreak within the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to unfold throughout the area.
According to an announcement revealed Tuesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the affected person was a Kenyan citizen who had been residing within the DRC and fell ailing there.
The affected person travelled by highway to Kampala, Uganda, earlier than flying to Nairobi, the place the affected person was remoted after creating signs. Samples examined optimistic for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Despite supportive care, the affected person died on the evening of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday in keeping with Kenya’s Ebola protected and dignified burial protocol, in accordance to WHO.
“The government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026,” it famous.
Kenya turns into fourth nation affected
According to WHO, Kenya is the fourth nation to affirm a case of Bundibugyo virus illness within the present outbreak.
The DRC continues to battle the most important outbreak, whereas Uganda, the place the virus was first detected in 2007, ended its newest outbreak in August. France additionally reported a travel-related case in June.
WHO famous that many of the instances reported in Uganda have been imported from the DRC, whereas a smaller quantity have been domestically acquired amongst contacts and well being employees linked to imported instances.
In the DRC, the outbreak has continued to develop. As of 23 September, the nation had recorded 7,890 confirmed instances and three,799 deaths, giving a case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.
The outbreak had affected 63 well being zones throughout seven provinces, with two of the newest affected areas bordering different nations. WHO mentioned the growth had elevated the chance of cross-border transmission.
Kenya traces contacts
Following affirmation of the case, Kenyan well being authorities have listed 28 contacts, together with relations and well being employees who cared for the affected person.
They are additionally tracing 23 passengers and 4 crew members who have been on the identical flight because the affected person.
WHO mentioned Kenya had been on excessive alert since May, when Ebola outbreaks have been declared within the DRC and Uganda.
As of Tuesday, Kenya had screened greater than 652,000 travellers coming into the nation, examined 267 suspected samples and educated about 5,000 well being employees on Ebola prevention and administration.
WHO mentioned it has additionally provided about 1,000 Ebola checks and 1,000 private protecting tools kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.
READ ALSO: DRC Ebola outbreak remains active as death toll reaches 3,779 – Africa CDC
Nigeria on excessive alert
Nigeria has additionally strengthened surveillance in response to the regional outbreak.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) mentioned in a public well being advisory issued in September that the nation was on excessive alert and had activated enhanced surveillance measures.
It launched a well being declaration system underneath which travellers from nations with lively or related Ebola transmission could also be required to full a type earlier than boarding.
The type requires travellers to present details about their current journey historical past, transit nations, vacation spot in Nigeria and well being standing.
The NCDC mentioned the measures are supposed to strengthen surveillance and forestall the importation of Ebola into Nigeria.
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.
