What this country, and especially the health authorities, have been dreading has just happened. The officials have confirmed the first Ebola fatality in Kenya since the new pandemic broke out a few months ago in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with hundreds of deaths reported and positive cases dealt with in Uganda.
More than 4,000 people have died from Ebola in DR Congo this year, in what is believed to be the second most deadly outbreak of the disease. The Kenyan, who has been living in the DRC for seven years, is said to have arrived in the country on Saturday, presenting severe symptoms.
He died on Monday night. His sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus, which has no vaccine. He was buried yesterday in line with public health safety protocols.
Kenyan officials have been on high alert, monitoring borders and other ports of entry since the outbreak began in the DRC in May. The ministry has screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples in five laboratories across the country. Some 4,971 health workers at national and county levels have been trained.
The Health ministry has since notified the World Health Organization about this first Ebola death under the International Health Regulations.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has told the public not to panic, explaining that all systems are in place to mitigate the risk. The people have been urged to wash their hands often or use alcohol rubs. They should also avoid close contact with people coming from countries with active Ebola transmission, and seek care at a health facility if unwell. They should report to the nearest facility anyone known to be unwell.
Health workers have been advised to maintain the highest prevention and control standards regardless of the condition they are treating. The health authorities must intensify checks, especially at the borders, monitoring all the people arriving and isolating them to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
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