Kenya confirms first Ebola case imported from Congo after patient dies in Nairobi

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a patient dying in Nairobi on October 5, 2026. The individual, a Kenyan citizen, arrived from Congo via Uganda on October 3, 2026. The patient, who exhibited symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, tested positive for the Ebola virus after admission to Nairobi Hospital.

Health Minister Aden Duale stated that 28 contacts had been identified, while 23 passengers from the same flight were under monitoring. The contacts will undergo a 21-day isolation period and will be released post-negative testing. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus with no approved vaccine or treatment, has no recorded active cases outside Congo since Uganda's outbreak was declared over in late August. This is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, threatening to become the deadliest.