Kenya Confirms First Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Case After Patient Dies

Kenya has confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), with the infected patient dying after travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Nairobi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC, where they became ill and received treatment at several health facilities. The patient later travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, through Beni on October 2, before flying to Nairobi on October 3.

After arriving in Kenya, the patient was taken to a hospital in Nairobi and isolated. Laboratory tests conducted by the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed the presence of Bundibugyo virus.

The patient died on the night of October 5 despite receiving supportive care and was buried the following day under Kenya’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol. Kenya notified the WHO of the case on October 6 under the International Health Regulations.

Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who treated the patient. Officials are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight, with follow-up and quarantine arrangements being made for people considered at risk.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi said Kenya had already put important outbreak control measures in place. “The priority now is to move swiftly to detect any further cases before the virus has an opportunity to spread,” Janabi said.

Kenya is the fourth country to confirm BVD. The DRC is responding to an ongoing outbreak, while Uganda ended its latest outbreak in August 2026. France also reported a travel-related case in June 2026.

Kenya had been on high alert since May following outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda. By October 6, more than 652,000 travellers had been screened, 267 suspected samples tested and about 5,000 health workers trained in Ebola prevention and management.

The WHO said it has supported Kenya with Ebola simulation exercises, rapid response team training and assessments of isolation units in 27 high-risk counties. It has also supplied about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits. Kenya’s Ebola preparedness score rose from 66 percent in May to 82 percent in July 2026.

The WHO advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on Kenya, Uganda or the DRC based on the information currently available.