Kenya has reported its first case of Ebola, as an outbreak that began in Central Africa has killed thousands and spread across multiple countries.
The patient, who died Tuesday, was a Kenyan national who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years, according to Kenyan health officials.
The man traveled to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, after falling ill and was transferred to a health facility, where he was isolated. Tests confirmed he had Bundibugyo Ebola virus.
Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale said contact tracing is underway. Officials have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, as well as 23 passengers and crew members who traveled on the same flight as the patient.
“Those at risk are being monitored, with quarantine measures applied where necessary. Our preparedness and surveillance systems remain active,” Duale said.
Since Kenya heightened its alert, more than 652,000 travelers have been screened, and 267 samples have been tested at laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu, as well as mobile facilities at the Busia and Lwakhakha border crossings. Nearly 5,000 health workers have also been trained in Ebola prevention and case management.
The outbreak, which was declared May 15, may have begun months earlier, potentially in February, based on genetic sequencing. There have been 8,463 confirmed cases and 4,082 confirmed deaths across the affected region, according to health officials.
Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths, while France has reported one confirmed case and one death. Kenya has now reported one death associated with the outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding all travel to Ituri and North Kivu provinces in Congo and avoiding nonessential travel to Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces. Travelers to other parts of Congo and Uganda are advised to take enhanced precautions and monitor for Ebola symptoms for 21 days after leaving the affected areas.
The outbreak has been complicated by limited healthcare infrastructure, ongoing conflict, population movement, and cross-border travel, as well as violence against healthcare workers and misinformation, according to the CDC.
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Treatment is further complicated as there is no vaccine to treat the rare Bundibugyo variation of Ebola. Vaccine treatment trials are underway.
The United States has also temporarily restricted entry for travelers who have been in Congo within 21 days of their flight to the country.