NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has confirmed the first case of Ebola Virus Disease.
In a statement sent to the newsroom on Tuesday, October 6, the Ministry of Health confirmed the first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) Virus Disease.
“The patient, a Kenyan citizen, who has been living in DRC for the past 7 years, fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals while still in DRC. He travelled from DRC to Kampala by road and then boarded Jambo Jet flight number 8523 and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 1.10 pm.
“He underwent the normal public health screening at the Port Health and immigration desk. He was transported by a relative and a friend directly from the JKIA using KDG 6992 Toyota Fielder to Nairobi Hospital, where he was quickly isolated in a separate room at the A&E in the Hospital and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility.
“He presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites,” read the statement in part.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale said the doctor considered it a case of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever and collected a sample for testing, which turned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI Lab.
First Ebola patient in Kenya dies
Duale confirmed the death of the patient, who underwent supportive treatment to no avail.
“We take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the departed. Arrangements for safe and dignified burial of the deceased are ongoing, and the burial is planned for later today in line with the Ebola safe and dignified burial protocols,” he said.
The CS noted that quarantine arrangements are for 28 persons related to the deceased, including family members and health workers, 23 passengers and 4 crew members who were on the same flight.
He explained that the government has maintained a high level of alert for Ebola since the outbreak began in May 2026.
As of 6th October 2026, more than 652,584 travellers have been screened, and 267 samples have been tested across 5 laboratories.
“We have trained 4,971 health workers at both national and sub-national levels on Ebola prevention and management. In line with the International Health Regulations, we have notified the World Health Organisation of the event,” he added.
The CS assured the public not to panic, noting that all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease.
Ebola preventive measures
He called on the public to frequently wash hands and avoid close contact with sick people coming from countries reporting active transmission of Ebola disease.
He also urged the public to seek care from a recognised health facility if unwell and report any persons known to be unwell to the nearest facility.
“The Ministry will continue to update Kenyans as more information becomes available,” he said.
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