Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) virus disease after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years died while receiving treatment in Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale today said the patient had fallen ill about a month ago while in the DRC, where he was treated at several health facilities before travelling by road from the DRC to Kampala and subsequently flying to Nairobi.

“The patient arrived in Nairobi aboard Jambo Jet flight 8523 and underwent routine public health screening at the port health and immigration desks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” the CS said during a presser at Afya house today.

He explained that the citizen was later taken directly from the airport to a Nairobi hospital by a relative and a friend, where he was isolated after presenting with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.

Duale said samples taken from the patient tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.

The patient was placed on supportive treatment but died last night, with the Ministry saying arrangements for a safe and dignified burial were under way.

Duale said 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers, had so far been identified and were being followed up.

The Ministry is also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight as the deceased, with arrangements for quarantine of people considered at risk under way.

The CS said Kenya had maintained a high level of alert since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026 and had screened 652,584 travelers as of October 6.

267 samples have been tested in five laboratories, including the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI laboratories in Nairobi and Kisumu, and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points. “Only one test has turned positive,” Duale said.

The Ministry has also trained 4,971 health workers at national and sub-national levels on Ebola prevention and management and notified the World Health Organization of the confirmed case in line with the International Health Regulations.

Duale reassured Kenyans that systems were in place to contain the disease and urged the public not to panic.

He advised Kenyans to maintain frequent handwashing or use alcohol-based hand rubs, avoid close contact with sick people coming from countries reporting active Ebola transmission and seek care at recognized health facilities if they become unwell.

Health workers have also been urged to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures regardless of the condition being treated.

By Wangari Ndirangu