The Ministry of Health in Kenya has confirmed the country's first imported case of Ebola, specifically the Bundibugyo Virus Disease. A Kenyan citizen, who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years, died on Monday night at a Nairobi hospital. According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the patient had been experiencing symptoms for about a month before seeking medical attention.
The patient had traveled from the DRC to Kampala and then boarded Jambo Jet flight 8523 to Nairobi, arriving at 1:10 pm on Saturday, October 3. Upon arrival, he underwent normal public health screening at the Port Health and immigration desk but did not show any symptoms at the time. He was then driven to Nairobi Hospital by a relative and a friend, where he was quickly isolated due to his symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle pain.
The patient's symptoms and travel history to the DRC led doctors to suspect Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, and a sample was taken for testing. The sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory. Despite receiving supportive treatment, the patient succumbed to the disease.
The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to him. Efforts are underway to track and quarantine 23 other passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient. The Ministry has been on high alert since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026 and has screened 652,584 travelers so far.
As part of its preparedness measures, the Ministry has trained 4,971 health workers at national and county levels and has tested 267 samples across five laboratories. Only one test has turned positive so far, which was the case of the deceased patient. The Ministry has also notified the World Health Organization under the International Health Regulations.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public not to panic, assuring that all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease. The public is advised to take precautions such as washing hands often, avoiding close contact with sick people from countries with active Ebola transmission, and seeking care at recognized health facilities if unwell.
The burial of the patient is planned for later on Tuesday, under the Ebola safe and dignified burial protocols. The Ministry will continue to update the public through official platforms and a toll-free line 719. Health workers have been advised to maintain the highest standards of infection prevention and control when treating patients.
Key points
- The patient, a Kenyan citizen, had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years before traveling to Nairobi, where he died on Monday night.
- The Ministry of Health has identified 28 contacts of the deceased and is tracking 23 other passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight.
- The public is advised to take precautions such as washing hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people from countries with active Ebola transmission.
