Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case linked to DRC outbreak

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread across the region.

According to a statement published Tuesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and fell ill there.

The patient travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where the patient was isolated after developing symptoms. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday in line with Kenya’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol, according to WHO.

“The government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026,” it noted.

Kenya becomes fourth country affected

According to WHO, Kenya is the fourth country to confirm a case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the current outbreak.

The DRC continues to battle the largest outbreak, while Uganda, where the virus was first detected in 2007, ended its latest outbreak in August. France also reported a travel-related case in June.

WHO noted that most of the cases reported in Uganda were imported from the DRC, while a smaller number were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases.

In the DRC, the outbreak has continued to expand. As of 23 September, the country had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths, giving a case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.

The outbreak had affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with two of the latest affected areas bordering other countries. WHO said the expansion had increased the risk of cross-border transmission.

Kenya traces contacts

Following confirmation of the case, Kenyan health authorities have listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient.

They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient.

WHO said Kenya had been on high alert since May, when Ebola outbreaks were declared in the DRC and Uganda.

As of Tuesday, Kenya had screened more than 652,000 travellers entering the country, tested 267 suspected samples and trained about 5,000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management.

WHO said it has also supplied about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.

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Nigeria on high alert

Nigeria has also strengthened surveillance in response to the regional outbreak.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in a public health advisory issued in September that the country was on high alert and had activated enhanced surveillance measures.

It introduced a health declaration system under which travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete a form before boarding.

The form requires travellers to provide information about their recent travel history, transit countries, destination in Nigeria and health status.

The NCDC said the measures are intended to strengthen surveillance and prevent the importation of Ebola into Nigeria.