Kenya confirms its first Ebola death as outbreak spreads

6 October 2026, 09: 49 BST. Updated 53 minutes ago.

Key points

• So far, WHO has recorded 4, 082 deaths out of 8, 463 cases since the emergence of the Bundibugyo species of the virus.
• More than 4, 000 individuals have died from Ebola in DR Congo this year, in what is the second most deadly known outbreak of the disease.
• According to Duale, after being taken to the Nairobi Hospital, the patient was transferred to an isolation facility which was built during the Covid-19.
• Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola – a Kenyan citizen who has been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the past seven years.
• Shortly after DR Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola in May, it was additionally noted in Uganda, where two individuals have died.

Health Minister Aden Duale remarked the patient. This person fell ill a month ago, and was treated in a number of hospitals in DR Congo, died days after arriving in Nairobi.

Duale remarked the patient boarded a flight on Saturday and underwent normal public screening at the main airport in Nairobi before he was transferred by a relative to a hospital in the city.

Shortly after DR Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola in May, it was additionally noted in Uganda, where two individuals have died. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the county free of the disease in August.

Since then, all cases of the disease have been declared in DR Congo.

For context, the current outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola. It is relatively rare, with no known vaccine.

According to Duale, the Kenyan national had tested positive for the Bundibugyo species.

According to the minister, the patient first travelled by road from DR Congo to the Ugandan capital Kampala, where he boarded a flight to Nairobi.

It was there that the patient "developed fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, painful swallowing, muscle pain and bleeding under the skin".

"Doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever based on his symptoms and travel history and collected samples for testing. The sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus, " Duale remarked.

For context, the patient died at 23: 30 (20: 30 GMT) on Monday and his burial is planned for afterwards on Tuesday in line with public health safety protocols.

While health authorities are tracing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight, at least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, have been identified.

There are at present no approved vaccines or treatments for the species. It is highly infectious.

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