Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died while receiving treatment in Nairobi.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the patient fell ill while living in the DRC and had received treatment at several health facilities there. The patient then travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, and flew to Nairobi, arriving on October 3.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Kenya has confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case.
The patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC.
The patient travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3.
The patient died on October 5.
Laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus at two Kenyan laboratories.
Authorities have identified 28 contacts.
The patient was taken to a hospital in Nairobi and isolated. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya's National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of October 5 and was buried on October 6 under Kenya's safe and dignified burial protocol.
Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient. Authorities are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.
Kenya notified WHO of the confirmed case on October 6 under the International Health Regulations. WHO said Kenya is the fourth country to confirm Bundibugyo virus disease in the current regional outbreak, following cases reported in the DRC, Uganda and France.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The case is Kenya's first confirmed imported Bundibugyo virus disease infection and has prompted intensified contact tracing, surveillance and preparedness measures. The immediate public-health priority is to identify any additional exposed people and detect potential further cases quickly. WHO said rapid and coordinated action can help prevent the virus from gaining a foothold in Kenya.
Kenya had already strengthened its Ebola preparedness because of outbreaks in the region. As of October 6, the country had screened more than 652,000 travellers, tested 267 suspected samples and trained around 5,000 health workers in Ebola prevention and management.
