Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case after patient dies in Nairobi

Kenya on Tuesday confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a Kenyan citizen who travelled from Congo via Uganda died while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital, prompting authorities to place the country on high alert.

Health Minister Aden Duale said the patient arrived in Kenya on Saturday and was isolated and treated at Nairobi Hospital after developing symptoms associated with hemorrhagic fever. The patient subsequently tested positive for the Ebola virus and died late Monday.

Authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who treated the patient, and are monitoring them for signs of infection, Health Ministry director Patrick Amoth said.

Another 23 passengers who travelled on the same flight from Uganda are also being traced.

The identified contacts will remain in isolation for 21 days and will be released after testing negative for the virus, Amoth said.

Authorities also said the patient's burial would take place within 24 hours in accordance with public health protocols.

Kenya is the fourth country to report an Ebola case in the current outbreak, which was declared in eastern Congo in mid-May. Uganda has reported 20 cases and France one, according to authorities.

Before Kenya's case was confirmed, there had been no active Ebola cases outside Congo since Uganda declared its outbreak over in late August.

Health authorities have stepped up surveillance and contact tracing as they assess the risk of further transmission.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. Vaccine and treatment trials are underway in Congo's Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The World Health Organisation has warned that the outbreak could become increasingly difficult to contain as cases continue to spread beyond Congo.