Panic gripped Murang’a on Friday after a man died of an unknown disease that locals suspected could be caused by the deadly Ebola virus.

Villagers of Mjini slum reportedly discovered the 30-year-old man who was said to be from Kitui District.

Witnesses said he was passing blood through the mouth and nostrils before he died.

Medical officers were put on high alert, although they ruled out chances the man could have been suffering from Ebola, which has claimed lives in Uganda.

Local Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr Ephantus Maree led a medical team to the scene and stated Ebola was not the cause of the death.

He asked the public to stop panicking, saying the issue was under control. The MoH said a treatment note found on the deceased’s clothings indicated he had sought treatment for TB at the Port Lietz Hospital in Mombasa on July 23.

By Boniface Gikandi, The Standard

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