Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), with the World Health Organization (WHO) supporting government efforts to strengthen surveillance, case investigation and measures to prevent further transmission.
The organisation said in a statement on Tuesday that the Kenyan government was intensifying response coordination, contact tracing and surveillance, while screening travellers at high-risk points of entry and strengthening risk communication and community engagement activities.
“The patient, a Kenyan citizen, became ill while living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the person received treatment at several health facilities before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda.
“The patient travelled through Beni on October 2, before flying to Nairobi on October 3, where the person was immediately transported to a hospital and isolated for further assessment.
“Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and Kenya Medical Research Institute, confirming Kenya’s first imported BVD case. Despite receiving supportive care, the patient died on the night of October 5, and was buried the following day under Kenya’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol,” it said.
The statement added that Kenya notified WHO of the confirmed case on October 6 in line with the International Health Regulations, becoming the fourth country to report BVD since the virus emerged. It said that health authorities had listed 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who cared for the patient, while tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight.
“Kenya has been on heightened alert since May, following BVD outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda, and has strengthened preparedness measures to rapidly detect and contain imported infections. As of October 6, Kenya had screened more than 652,000 travellers, tested 267 suspected samples and trained about 5,000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management,” it said.
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said Kenya’s preparedness measures provided an important head start, while urging rapid detection and coordinated action to prevent wider transmission. Janabi said WHO and partners supported Kenya’s Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute through simulation exercises, response training, surveillance strengthening and preparation of rapid response teams.
According to him, isolation units in 27 high-risk counties have been identified and assessed, while case managers have been trained and surveillance tools updated to support rapid identification and investigation.
He said that WHO has also strengthened risk communication and community engagement through public messaging, media outreach, community activities and call-centre support, while monitoring rumours and misinformation.
The global health agency has delivered about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties, supporting Kenya’s capacity to investigate suspected infections.
“Kenya’s Ebola preparedness score increased from 66 per cent in May to 82 per cent in July, reflecting improvements in surveillance, laboratory testing and response capacity,” he said.
According to Janabi, WHO does not recommend restrictions on travel or trade with the DRC, Uganda or Kenya based on currently available information concerning the BVD case.
“The agency continues to monitor and verify travel and trade measures linked to the outbreak, while working with countries and partners to strengthen preparedness and response,” he said.
He said WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have called for continued support to affected countries, stressing that coordinated government action and community engagement remained essential.
- Source: NAN
