WHO Director General Announces Ebola-Related Death in Kenya

Geneva, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Tuesday the registration of a death from the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in Kenya, affecting a Kenyan national who was residing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Ghebreyesus stated that, according to the Kenyan government, the patient contracted the illness in the DRC, received treatment in several hospitals, and then traveled to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, passing through Uganda’s capital, Kampala, where he died.

The WHO expressed its support for the governments of Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda in their response efforts, including contact tracing, strengthening surveillance, conducting testing, and taking necessary measures to rapidly detect any potential cases and curb the spread of the virus. Ghebreyesus also emphasized that, based on available information, the WHO is not currently recommending any travel or trade restrictions with the affected countries, while noting that the organization continues to monitor and, when necessary, verify travel and trade measures related to the outbreak.

In a separate statement issued from Nairobi, the WHO confirmed that Kenyan authorities have so far identified 28 contacts, including family members of the patient and healthcare workers who cared for him. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight on which the patient traveled, making arrangements for follow-up and quarantine for those confirmed to be at risk.

The WHO stressed that Kenya has implemented significant control measures, with the current priority being rapid action to detect any additional cases before the virus has an opportunity to spread and to halt any potential further outbreaks. Kenya is the fourth country to confirm Ebola cases, while the DRC continues to experience an ongoing outbreak. Uganda declared the end of its outbreak last August, and France reported a travel-related case in June.

The WHO noted that Kenya has been on high alert since May, following the announcement of outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda. (End) A.M.Kh./M.A.A.