Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient has died while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed. According to Duale, the patient underwent the required public health screening at the Port Health facility at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after arriving in the country before completing the immigration process. The patient was later taken directly from JKIA to Nairobi Hospital by a relative and a friend.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was immediately isolated in a separate room within the Accident and Emergency department as medical teams assessed the situation. He was subsequently moved to the hospital’s East Wing isolation facility, which had previously been designated for Covid-19 treatment and was equipped with the necessary facilities to manage the patient.
Patient Tested Positive for Ebola
Duale said the patient presented with several symptoms, including fever, chills, severe fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding beneath the skin at the injection site. Given the symptoms and the patient’s recent travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), doctors collected a sample for laboratory testing. The test later returned positive for Ebola, prompting the medical team to provide supportive care while following the required public health measures.
Patient Dies Despite Treatment
The Health CS said the patient received supportive treatment at the hospital but unfortunately died at approximately 11:30 pm on Monday night. Duale expressed his condolences to the patient’s family following the death. Health authorities are now working on arrangements for the safe and dignified handling of the body.
The CS said the burial arrangements were underway, with the patient expected to be buried on Tuesday in accordance with Ebola-safe and dignified public health protocols. The confirmation of Kenya’s first Ebola case and subsequent death has placed health authorities on heightened alert as they continue implementing measures aimed at managing the case and protecting the public.
