Published on: 2026-10-07
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 7, 2026 Healthcare
The United Nations and UN humanitarian partners are supporting the Kenyan authorities in identifying all contacts of the country’s first patient who died of Ebola. According to Nima Rusibamayila Kimambo, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Kenya, the coming days will be crucial in preventing an outbreak of this deadly disease.
The victim of Ebola was a Kenyan who had lived for several years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a deadly outbreak continues. On October 3rd, he flew to Nairobi for treatment and immediately went to the hospital, but the doctors could not save his life.
Kenyan authorities have already identified most of the people who had direct contact with the deceased patient. According to the WHO, no other cases of infection have been recorded in Kenya so far.
In an interview with the UN News Service, Kimambo reported that 10 relatives of the deceased man are already in quarantine. Work is underway with two dozen medical workers who treated the patient in the hospital, along with laboratory technicians and other clinic staff.
The Government of Kenya is also working with the airline that transported the patient from the DRC to identify the names and surnames of 23 passengers and four crew members.
Photo UN/Y. Abdullahi Dr. Nima Rusibamayla Kimambo, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Kenya.
According to a representative of the World Health Organization, WHO supports response measures in Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda to prevent further spread of the virus. It is also cooperating with the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to mobilize the efforts of member countries.
Kimambo emphasized: it is important for people to know exactly how Ebola spreads: through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, such as sweat, blood, and saliva.
A WHO representative emphasized the need to “strictly maintain hygiene” through regular hand washing, use of sanitizers, and avoiding handshakes.
“The key recommendation is not to panic,” she said. “Let’s quickly take all necessary measures. If someone feels unwell, they must promptly seek medical help.”
WHO and other UN agencies were assisting Kenya in preparing for a potential Ebola outbreak even before the first case was confirmed—immediately after the virus appeared in the DRC. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was tracking movements at the borders, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was addressing water supply, sanitation, and hygiene issues. WHO focused its efforts on strengthening the epidemiological surveillance system, training specialists, and conducting training simulations.
Answering a question about the risk of Ebola spreading in Kenya, Kimambo emphasized the importance of quarantine, which allows for prompt testing of people at the first sign of symptoms.
“I think the next few days will be decisive, because we know that the incubation period is from two to eight days,” she said.
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