First Ebola case confirmed in Kenya: patient dies in Nairobi

The first case of Ebola infection in the country has been confirmed in Kenya, East Africa.

The patient died on Monday evening in Nairobi from the highly contagious Bundibugyo virus, Kenya's Health Secretary Aden Duale said in a televised speech.

Accordingly, the man, who had lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years, fell ill about a month ago and ended up traveling overland to neighboring Uganda, where he took a flight to Kenya on Saturday.

After his arrival, his relatives took him directly to a hospital in Nairobi, where he died.

The patient reportedly suffered from fever, chills, severe fatigue, muscle pain and bleeding under the skin.

“This is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak we have ever seen,” Wessam Mankoula, director of emergencies at the African health authority Africa CDC, said on Friday.

As the Congolese health authorities reported on Monday, 4,148 people have now died in the country.

The case of the man who died in Kenya could have a significant impact on the country: Kenya's health authorities say they have so far identified 28 contact persons, including relatives of the deceased and medical staff who treated him.

Authorities are also looking for the flight's 23 passengers and four crew members.

Uganda could also be affected again due to the sick person's transit.

The East African country only declared itself Ebola-free at the end of August.