Published on: 2026-10-07
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 6, 2026 Healthcare
Kenya has reported its first case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Kenyan authorities, with the assistance of the World Health Organization (WHO), are increasing measures to prevent further spread of the infection.
The patient is a Kenyan citizen who was living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he first felt unwell. He sought medical help at several facilities in the DRC, and then flew to Nairobi. Upon arrival, the patient was immediately isolated in a city hospital.
Tests conducted by the National Virology Laboratory and the Kenyan Medical Research Institute confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus. Despite the assistance provided, the patient died on the night of October 5 and was buried the next day in accordance with the Ebola safe burial protocol.
Kenya has become the fourth country to confirm a case of Ebola. The DRC continues to combat the current outbreak, Uganda concluded the latest one in August 2026, and France reported an incident in June. In Uganda, most infections were linked to travel to the DRC, with some transmitted through contacts and healthcare workers.
Kenyan authorities have already identified 28 people who may have contracted the infection through contact, including relatives and medical personnel involved in treating the patient. There is also a search underway for 23 passengers and four crew members of the flight, who will undergo monitoring and, if necessary, quarantine.
Since May 2026, Kenya has been on high alert due to outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda. As of October 6, the condition of more than 652,000 people arriving in the country had been checked. About five thousand healthcare workers in Kenya have been trained in Ebola prevention and treatment methods.
Kenya’s readiness indicator for Ebola outbreaks, as assessed by WHO, increased from 66 percent in May to 82 percent in July 2026.
Based on the available data, WHO does not recommend imposing restrictions on travel or trade with the DRC, Uganda, or Kenya and continues to monitor Ebola-related measures.
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