By Mandere Onyinkwa
Kenya has confirmed its first Bundibugyo Ebola case after a man who lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years died in Nairobi.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient travelled from the DRC by road to Kampala before boarding flight 8523 to Nairobi on October 3, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
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The patient was transported directly from JKIA by a relative to a Nairobi hospital, where he was isolated after presenting with symptoms associated with viral haemorrhagic fever.
He had reportedly fallen ill about a month earlier and had received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient presented with 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,” Duale said.
Samples collected from the patient subsequently tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.
The patient died despite treatment, with the Ministry saying arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were under way in accordance with public health protocols.
Health authorities have identified 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to him.
The Ministry is also tracing 23 passengers and crew members who travelled on the same flight as the deceased, with arrangements for quarantine of people considered at risk under way.
Duale said Kenya had maintained a high level of alert for Ebola since an outbreak began in May 2026.
“I wish to reassure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” he said.
The Ministry has urged Kenyans to maintain frequent handwashing or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers and avoid close contact with people who are sick and have travelled from countries reporting active Ebola transmission.
Those who develop symptoms have been advised to seek treatment at recognised health facilities, while members of the public have been urged to report people known to be unwell to the nearest health facility.
Health workers have also been directed to maintain heightened vigilance and the highest infection-prevention and control measures regardless of the condition being treated.
The Ministry urged the public to rely on official government channels for updates and use the toll-free health line 719 for further information.
Duale said the Ministry would continue providing updates as investigations and contact-tracing efforts progress.
