Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case,CS Duale Reveals

The Ministry of Health on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, announced that a Kenyan citizen who has been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years has tested positive for Ebola.

The case marks the first confirmed imported Ebola infection reported in Kenya. According to Duale, the patient is a Kenyan citizen who has been residing in the DRC for the last seven years before the infection was confirmed.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform members of the public that it has confirmed the first imported case of Ebola,” Duale said.
“This patient is a Kenyan citizen who has been living in DRC for the past seven years.”

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed Kenya’s first reported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, involving a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Duale said the patient had fallen ill about a month ago and received treatment at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling to Kenya.

The patient arrived in Nairobi on Saturday October 3, after travelling from the DRC to Kampala by road and later boarding a flight to Kenya.

Patient Arrived in Nairobi From DRC

According to Duale, the patient arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at about 1:10pm and underwent the normal public health screening at the airport.

“He travelled from DRC to Kampala by road, then boarded Jumbo Jet flight number 8523 and arrived in Nairobi on Saturday 3rd October 2023 at 1.10pm,” Duale said.

The patient passed through immigration before a relative and a friend transported him directly from the airport to Nairobi Hospital.

Duale said the patient was immediately isolated after arriving at the hospital.

“He was transported by a relative and a friend directly from JKIA to Nairobi Hospital, where he was quickly isolated in a separate room at the accident and emergency area in the hospital and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility,” he said.

Patient Developed Ebola Symptoms

Duale said the patient presented with several symptoms associated with viral haemorrhagic fever.

“He presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at the injection site,” the CS said.

Based on his symptoms and history of travelling from the DRC, doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever and collected samples for testing.

“Based on the above presentation and history of travel to DRC, the doctors considered his case as that of a viral hemorrhagic fever and they collected a sample for testing,” Duale said.

The tests later returned positive for Bundibugyo virus.

Tests Confirmed Bundibugyo Virus

Duale said the samples were tested at two laboratories in Kenya. The tests were conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory, run by the National Public Health Institute, and at a Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.

“The sample tested positive for Ebola and also for Bundibugyo virus disease,” Duale said.

The patient was then placed under supportive treatment at the isolation facility.

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Patient Dies in Nairobi

Duale, however, confirmed that the patient died on Monday night at around 11:30pm.

“The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on last night at around 11.30,” he said.

The CS conveyed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

“We take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the departed,” Duale said.

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Burial Planned Under Public Health Protocols

Duale said arrangements for the safe and dignified burial of the deceased were underway. He added that the burial was planned for later on Tuesday and would follow public health protocols for Ebola cases.

“Arrangements for safe and dignified burial of the deceased are ongoing and the burial is planned for later today in line with Ebola safe and dignified public health protocols,” Duale said.

Isolation Facility Has 145 Beds

The patient was transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility at Nairobi Hospital, a facility established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duale said the facility has intensive care and high-dependency units, as well as more than 145 beds.

The confirmation of the case marks a major development in Kenya’s response to the Ebola threat, with health authorities expected to strengthen surveillance and contact-tracing measures.

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