Kenya Reports First Imported Bundibugyo Ebola Case

Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola on Tuesday, after a Kenyan citizen who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda tested positive and died in Nairobi late Monday, Health Minister Aden Duale said. Authorities have identified 28 contacts and are tracing 23 passengers who were on the same flight, according to health ministry accounts. The patient had arrived in Kenya on Saturday and received treatment at Nairobi Hospital, where the infection was confirmed. Health officials have placed the country on high alert and are monitoring for possible additional cases. The reports do not establish whether anyone else has contracted the virus. The 28 identified contacts include family members and health workers who cared for the patient, Duale said. The ministry’s director, Patrick Amoth, said contacts would remain in isolation for 21 days and be released after testing negative. Authorities are also tracing the 23 passengers who traveled on the same flight from Uganda, although the available accounts do not specify how many have been located or whether any have shown symptoms. The patient’s route was from the DRC through Uganda to Nairobi.