Kenya confirms first Ebola case; patient who flew in from Entebbe dies in Nairobi

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed on Tuesday 6 October 2026 that Kenya has recorded its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. The patient, a Kenyan man, died at Nairobi Hospital at 11:30 pm on Monday 5 October, according to a Ministry of Health statement reported by Kenyans.co.ke.

"The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease," the ministry's statement said, as quoted by Kenyans.co.ke on 6 October. The Standard reported the same day that Duale urged the public not to panic, saying measures are in place to contain the spread of the disease.

The patient had lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years and fell ill about a month before his death, Kenyans.co.ke reported. He was treated at several hospitals in the DRC, then travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda.

He flew from Entebbe to Nairobi on Jambojet flight JM8523 on Saturday 3 October and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at about 1:10 pm, according to Kenyans.co.ke and Capital FM.

The patient went through public health screening at JKIA and then immigration. Relatives took him from the airport to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated, The Standard reported. He was later moved to the hospital's East Wing Isolation Facility. He had fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing and bleeding under the skin, Kenyans.co.ke reported.

Samples tested positive at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenyans.co.ke reported. The Standard said the burial was to take place on 6 October under Ebola safety protocols.

The Ministry has listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers, Kenyans.co.ke reported. Health officials are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on flight JM8523. In a statement on 6 October, Jambojet said it was working closely with the Ministry of Health, Port Health Services and other authorities, Capital FM reported.

Kenyans.co.ke also reported that the government has trained 4,971 health workers on Ebola prevention and management, and that the World Health Organization has been notified.

Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth explained on 6 October how the patient passed the airport check, The Star reported. He said some of the medication the man was taking "could be able to mask some of the symptoms" at screening. Amoth said the ministry believes the patient knew he was already ill and contacted his relatives, who took him from the airport to the hospital. He said contacts would be isolated for up to 21 days, the maximum incubation period of Ebola, and then tested to confirm they are negative.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on 6 October it is deploying a high-level multidisciplinary team to Kenya, Capital FM reported. Director General Dr Jean Kaseya said he will travel to Kenya within days to assess what the response needs. "I thank the Kenyan authorities for the rapid measures already put in place and reiterate Africa CDC's full support," he said, as quoted by Capital FM.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) called the same day for the immediate identification and medical monitoring of health workers exposed to the patient at Nairobi Hospital or other health facilities, Capital FM reported. It also asked for specialised protective equipment and infection-prevention training, confirmation that isolation facilities at regional referral hospitals are working and adequately staffed, and a place for health workers' unions in national and county emergency structures.

"Our healthcare workers must not be the weakest link in our response," KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said, as quoted by Capital FM. "They must be our first line of protection."

The outbreak began in the DRC, which declared an Ebola epidemic on 15 May 2026, Xinhua reported. The Standard reported that the DRC has recorded more than 8,000 confirmed cases and about 4,080 deaths since May. Capital FM reported that Uganda recorded 20 confirmed Bundibugyo cases in its 2026 outbreak before being declared Ebola-free. Xinhua reported that no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain.