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Kenya confirms first Ebola death as outbreak spreads

Kenya confirms first Ebola death as a DRC‑resident tests positive, marking a grim milestone in the outbreak that has killed over 4,000 people.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
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Breaking graphic

In brief

Kenya has officially reported its first death from Ebola after a citizen residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain. The patient fell ill in the DRC, was treated in several hospitals, and died days after arriving in Nairobi. Health Minister Aden Duale noted that the individual had passed routine airport screening before being taken to a Nairobi hospital where the diagnosis was confirmed. This marks the second deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded, with more than 4,000 deaths in the DRC alone this year. The Kenyan government and international health bodies are now intensifying surveillance and containment efforts.

Kenya has confirmed its first death from Ebola, a citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

Health Minister Aden Duale said the patient fell ill a month ago and was treated in several DRC hospitals before dying days after arriving in Nairobi. He added that the man boarded a flight on Saturday, underwent normal public screening at Nairobi’s main airport, and was then transferred by a relative to a local hospital. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Authorities say the outbreak in the DRC has now claimed more than 4,000 lives this year, ranking it as the second most deadly known Ebola epidemic.

For a detailed situation report and the latest recommendations from health authorities, visit WHO and CDC.

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