NAIROBI — 6 October 2026: Kenya has confirmed its first imported Ebola case after a Kenyan citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda died at Nairobi Hospital.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, identifying the infection as Bundibugyo virus disease. The patient died at about 11:30 p.m. East Africa Time on Monday, 5 October, according to the ministry’s account reported by The Kenya Times.
The confirmation shifts Kenya’s response from preparedness to containing a detected infection. Authorities are tracing people who may have been exposed during the patient’s journey and hospital care.
Patient travelled through Uganda
The patient had lived in DRC for seven years and had received treatment there before returning to Kenya, Duale said. He travelled by road to Kampala and then flew to Nairobi.
According to The Star’s account of the ministry statement, he arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday at about 1:10 p.m. EAT and underwent routine public health screening.
A relative and a friend then took him directly to Nairobi Hospital. Staff isolated him in the accident and emergency department before moving him to the hospital’s East Wing isolation facility.
Tests at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed Ebola, Duale said.
In his announcement, reported by The Kenya Times, the minister said Kenya had “confirmed the first imported case of Ebola”. The patient received supportive treatment, but later died. Arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were underway on Tuesday.
Contacts and fellow travellers being traced
HEALTH NEWS
Kenya Confirms First Imported Ebola Case After Patient Dies in Nairobi
Oct 6, 2026
Oct 6, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
NAIROBI — 6 October 2026: Kenya has confirmed its first imported Ebola case after a Kenyan citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda died at Nairobi Hospital.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the case on Tuesday, identifying the infection as Bundibugyo virus disease. The patient died at about 11:30 p.m. East Africa Time on Monday, 5 October, according to the ministry’s account reported by The Kenya Times.
The confirmation shifts Kenya’s response from preparedness to containing a detected infection. Authorities are tracing people who may have been exposed during the patient’s journey and hospital care.
Patient travelled through Uganda
The patient had lived in DRC for seven years and had received treatment there before returning to Kenya, Duale said. He travelled by road to Kampala and then flew to Nairobi.
According to The Star’s account of the ministry statement, he arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday at about 1:10 p.m. EAT and underwent routine public health screening.
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A relative and a friend then took him directly to Nairobi Hospital. Staff isolated him in the accident and emergency department before moving him to the hospital’s East Wing isolation facility.
Tests at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed Ebola, Duale said.
In his announcement, reported by The Kenya Times, the minister said Kenya had “confirmed the first imported case of Ebola”. The patient received supportive treatment, but later died. Arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were underway on Tuesday.
Contacts and fellow travellers being traced
Duale said authorities had identified 28 contacts, including relatives and health workers who cared for the patient. Officials were also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.
Being identified for contact tracing does not mean a person has Ebola. The investigation is intended to establish who was exposed and arrange appropriate follow-up.
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The Associated Press reported that Kenya had been placed on high alert. It quoted senior health official Patrick Amoth as saying the identified contacts would remain in isolation for 21 days and be released after testing negative.
Regional outbreak remains a concern
The World Health Organization’s outbreak overview identifies Bundibugyo as the virus responsible for the regional outbreak confirmed in DRC and Uganda in May. WHO says insecurity, population movement and trade complicate efforts to contain it.
XTRAfrica has reported on DRC’s Ebola response in eastern Congo and WHO’s confirmation that Uganda’s outbreak had ended. The end of Uganda’s outbreak did not mean the outbreak in neighbouring DRC was over.
WHO says no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for Bundibugyo virus disease, although candidate products are being studied. Supportive care remains available and can improve survival.
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How Ebola spreads and what comes next
According to WHO’s Ebola guidance, infection can spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with, or has died from, Ebola. Contaminated objects and surfaces can also transmit infection.
WHO recommends monitoring contacts for 21 days, protecting health workers, isolating patients and conducting safe burials. Early care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, can improve survival.
The immediate response centres on completing contact tracing and monitoring those potentially exposed. Further official updates will establish whether additional infections have been detected.
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