Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease after a Kenyan national who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died in Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient had lived in the DRC for the past seven years before falling ill about a month ago and receiving treatment at several hospitals in the country.

The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala before boarding flight 8523 to Nairobi, arriving on Saturday. He was transported directly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi hospital by a relative and immediately isolated after presenting with symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.

“Based on the above presentation and history of travel to DRC, the doctor considered this a case of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever and collected a sample for testing, which turned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI Lab,” Duale said.

The patient died on Monday while undergoing treatment, with the ministry of Health saying arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were underway.

The ministry has so far identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers who attended to him. Authorities are also tracing 23 passengers and crew members who travelled on the same flight as the deceased, with arrangements for quarantine of those considered at risk underway.

Duale said Kenya had maintained a high level of preparedness for Ebola since the outbreak began in May 2026.

“I wish to reiterate that we have continued to maintain a high level of alert for Ebola since the outbreak began in May 2026,” he said.

He urged Kenyans to remain calm, saying the government had measures in place to contain the disease.

“I wish to reassure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Duale said.

The public has been advised to wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand rubs, avoid close contact with sick people arriving from countries reporting active Ebola transmission, and seek medical attention from recognised health facilities when unwell.

Duale also urged members of the public to report anyone known to be ill to the nearest health facility, while health workers were asked to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures.

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