The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) expressed solidarity with Kenya on Tuesday after the confirmation of the first case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the country and called for enhanced regional preparedness.
The African Union's specialized public health agency announced that a high-level, multidisciplinary Africa CDC team would be dispatched to Kenya to provide support in the country's response.
Africa CDC Director-General Jane Kaseye stated: 'I will personally travel to Kenya in the coming days to assess the response needs and any additional support required together with national authorities.'
Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on Tuesday, after a person died in Nairobi hospital on Monday.
According to State Secretary for Health Aden Duale, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had resided in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years.
Kenyan authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers. Additionally, 23 other passengers and four crew members who traveled with the patient are being tracked.
Africa CDC strongly urged member states to strengthen disease surveillance and cross-border information exchange, ensure laboratory readiness, reinforce rapid response teams, and maintain strict infection prevention and control measures.