Ebola Crosses Border Into Kenya as First Imported Bundibugyo Case Confirmed

The man became ill about a month ago while in Congo, where he was treated at several hospitals before traveling by road to Kampala, Uganda. He then boarded a Jambojet flight to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Oct. 3. He was taken directly to Nairobi Hospital and isolated, according to the ministry. The patient had symptoms including fever, chills, severe fatigue, muscle pain, painful swallowing, a sore throat and bleeding beneath the skin. Tests at Kenya's National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease. He received supportive treatment but died Monday. The ministry said preparations were underway for a safe and dignified burial in accordance with Ebola protocols.   Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale confirms Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease and outlines the response measures underway. The public is encouraged to stay calm, follow official Ministry of Health updates and seek care promptly if unwell. https://t.co/zQbecG7ZYH— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) October 6, 2026 //   Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and health care workers who treated or attended to the patient. Officials are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who traveled with him on the flight from Kampala to Nairobi. Quarantine arrangements for people considered at risk are underway. The government said it had screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 samples at five laboratories since heightened Ebola surveillance began in May. Only one sample has tested positive, the ministry said. Kenya has trained 4,971 health care workers in Ebola prevention and management and has notified the World Health Organization of the case. The case comes as Congo continues to report a large outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Congo had reported 8,442 confirmed cases and 4,080 deaths as of Oct. 2. A total of 846 patients were hospitalized in isolation, while 2,213 people who tested positive had recovered. The ECDC said 66 new confirmed cases and 38 deaths had been reported since the previous update. Cases were reported in North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo provinces. Ituri remains the hardest-hit province, with 6,370 cases and 2,933 deaths reported across 28 of its 36 health zones. Overall, 64 of 167 health zones across seven provinces were affected, according to the ECDC. Congo's reported case and death figures are subject to ongoing review and harmonization. Uganda, where the Kenyan patient traveled before flying to Nairobi, reported 20 Ebola cases between May and June, according to its Health Ministry. The World Health Organization declared Uganda's outbreak over on Aug. 25 after the country completed a 42-day period without a new confirmed case.