Wajir County has announced that laboratory tests for a suspected Ebola case involving a 20-year-old man who travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda to Kenya returned negative results.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the patient was reported at Habaswein Sub-County Hospital in Wajir South Sub-County, prompting health officials to conduct tests due to his travel history.

“I am pleased to report that the preliminary laboratory results indicate that the sample is negative for Ebola virus disease,” the governor stated.

The county government said the patient would continue to receive medical care as health officials monitor his condition in line with established public health protocols.

📌 What You Need to Know

The announcement has since eased fears that the patient could be Kenya’s second Ebola case following the death of a 40-year-old Kenyan who tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus.

Governor Abdullahi commended health workers at Habaswein Sub-County Hospital, the County Department of Health and the Ministry of Health for responding swiftly to the suspected case.

“These results are reassuring. The County Department of Health and the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the patient and provide appropriate medical care in accordance with established public health protocols,” the governor said.

Governor Abdullahi also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear and panic.

“I urge residents to remain calm and to avoid sharing unverified information, which can cause unnecessary fear and panic. Please rely only on official communication from the County Government of Wajir and the Ministry of Health,” he added.

The 20-year-old man, who works with a cargo truck, is said to have travelled through DRC, Uganda, and several parts of Kenya before arriving at his residence on September 20.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke