The Ministry of Health has confirmed Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease, involving a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient travelled from DRC to Kampala by road before boarding a Jambo Jet flight to Nairobi on October 3, 2026.
According to the ministry, the patient had fallen ill about a month ago and had received treatment in several hospitals in DRC before travelling to Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the patient underwent routine public health screening before being transported to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility.
First Ebola case in Kenya
The ministry said the patient exhibited symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, 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,” the statement said.
“The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on last night,” said Duale, who also conveyed condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.
The government said arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were underway in accordance with Ebola response protocols. As part of containment measures, health authorities have launched extensive contact tracing efforts.
“So far we have listed 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers who attended to the deceased. We are also pursuing a further 23 passengers and 4 crew members who were on the same flight with the deceased,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
He added that “arrangements for quarantine of those at risk to protect the public are ongoing.” The ministry noted that Kenya has maintained a high level of alertness since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.
“As of 6th October 2026, we have screened 652,584 travellers. We have tested 267 samples across 5 laboratories… Only one test has turned positive,” Duale said.
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The government further disclosed that 4,971 health workers at both national and county levels have been trained on Ebola prevention and management. Kenya has also notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the confirmed case in line with the International Health Regulations.
Even as health officials intensify surveillance measures, the government sought to reassure the public that systems are 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 ministry urged Kenyans to observe preventive measures, including frequent hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand rubs, avoiding close contact with sick individuals arriving from countries with active Ebola transmission, and promptly seeking medical attention when unwell. Health workers have also been advised to remain vigilant and maintain strict infection prevention and control measures.
The Ministry of Health said it will continue updating Kenyans as more information becomes available.
