Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case in Nairobi, CS Duale Announces

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Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case in Nairobi, CS Duale Announces

NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nairobi, triggering immediate public health measures and heightened surveillance across the country.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, October 6, Duale revealed that the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years. The patient, who arrived in Nairobi over the weekend while unwell, passed away, prompting health authorities to activate contact tracing and isolation protocols.

Rapid Health Response Activated

The Ministry of Health has moved swiftly to contain potential transmission. Authorities have identified and placed 28 contacts under close medical monitoring, including immediate family members and healthcare workers who attended to the patient before death.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola,” CS Duale stated, adding that emergency response teams and designated testing laboratories—including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—are fully deployed.

Health officials are intensifying surveillance at key points of entry, county health facilities, and major referral hospitals. Medical personnel treating suspected cases have been instructed to observe strict infection prevention procedures and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

Symptoms and Public Vigilance

Ebola is a severe illness caused by a virus that spreads through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person or contaminated surfaces. Initial symptoms include:

High fever, severe headaches, and joint or muscle pain.
Unexplained fatigue and sore throat.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and in advanced cases, internal and external bleeding.

The Ministry of Health urges citizens to remain calm, practice strict hygiene, and report individuals exhibiting symptoms to nearby facilities. Authorities also warned against spreading unverified reports online, emphasizing that all official updates will be issued directly through government health channels.