Kenya's Ministry of Health has confirmed the country's first imported case of Ebola, specifically the Bundibugyo Virus Disease. The patient, a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years, fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals there. He traveled from the DRC to Kampala and then boarded JamboJet flight 8523 to Nairobi, where he was screened at the airport.
The patient arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 3 and was driven to Nairobi Hospital by a relative and a friend. He was quickly isolated due to his symptoms, which included fever, chills, intense fatigue, and bleeding under the skin. A doctor suspected Viral Haemorrhagic Fever and took a sample, which tested positive for Ebola at two laboratories: the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.
Despite receiving supportive treatment, the patient died, and his burial is planned under Ebola safe and dignified burial protocols. The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers who attended to him. Efforts are underway to track 23 other passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight, with arrangements for quarantine ongoing.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated that Kenya has been on high alert since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026. The Ministry has screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories. About 4,971 health workers have been trained, and only one test has turned positive so far. The Ministry has also notified the World Health Organization under the International Health Regulations.
Duale reassured the public not to panic, as systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease. The Ministry urged Kenyans to practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with sick people from countries with active Ebola transmission, and seek care at recognized health facilities if unwell. People are also advised to report anyone known to be unwell to the nearest facility.
Health workers have been advised to maintain high infection prevention and control standards. The public can access information from official Ministry of Health platforms or the toll-free line 719. The Ministry will provide updates to the public as the situation develops. The government is working to prevent the spread of the disease and control the outbreak.
The confirmation of Kenya's first Ebola case has raised concerns about the potential for further spread. However, the Ministry's swift response and measures to track and contain the outbreak aim to mitigate this risk. The situation remains under close monitoring, and the public is being urged to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
Key points
- The patient, a Kenyan citizen who lived in the DRC, died in Nairobi after testing positive for Ebola.
- The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts of the deceased and is tracking 23 other passengers and four crew members from the same flight.
- The government has reassured the public that systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease and urged Kenyans to take precautions.
