Kenya Reports First Ebola Death and Case
Kenya has reported its first Ebola death. It is also the first confirmed Ebola case in Kenya.
The patient was a Kenyan man. He had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He arrived in Kenya over the weekend after traveling through Uganda. He tested positive for Ebola and died.
Kenya's health minister said 28 contacts had been identified. Authorities are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew from his flight.
Health authorities are on high alert and monitoring for more cases. Kenya has tested 267 samples since May.
The patient's sample was the only positive result. The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in mid-May.
By October 2 the outbreak had 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths. The Guardian cited World Health Organization figures.
The Bundibugyo virus caused the outbreak. The Guardian reported no approved vaccine or specific treatment was available. Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa in 50 years.
Key Terms 4
- Ebola A deadly virus that spreads through body fluids and causes severe bleeding.
- Contacts People who were near a sick patient and could be infected.
- Bundibugyo virus One type of Ebola virus. It has no approved vaccine.
- World Health Organization A United Nations agency that tracks health threats around the world.