DR Congo-linked Ebola death triggers 28 contact checks for Nairobi travellers

Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo died shortly after arriving in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Tuesday. The ministry said the case involved the Bundibugyo virus disease.

Key facts

• 3 October 2026: the patient landed at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at about 1.10 pm local time (1010GMT)
• The man had lived in DR Congo for seven years and fell ill about a month before returning to Kenya
• He flew from Uganda on a Jambojet flight carrying 23 passengers after travelling by road from DR Congo
• 28 contacts have been identified, including family members and health workers
• Kenya had already strengthened disease surveillance at airports and land border crossings

What happened?

The patient had been living in DR Congo for the past seven years and became ill about a month before returning to Kenya, according to the Health Ministry. He received treatment at several health facilities in Congo before travelling by road to neighbouring Uganda.

He then flew from Uganda to Kenya aboard a Jambojet flight carrying 23 passengers, landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday, 3 October. He underwent routine public health screening at the airport before going through immigration. Relatives and friends then drove him directly from the airport to Nairobi Hospital, where he was immediately placed in isolation. He tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and later died.

Who is being monitored?

Health authorities have identified 28 people who had contact with the deceased, including family members and health workers. His journey through DR Congo and Uganda, the commercial flight to Nairobi and his contact with relatives and medical personnel all form part of the government's contact-tracing operation. Officials are monitoring the identified contacts for symptoms as surveillance continues.

What screening is in place for travellers?

Kenya had already strengthened disease surveillance at airports and land border crossings in response to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. The Health Ministry said measures include improved screening, laboratory capacity and preparedness at health facilities. The patient in this case passed through routine public health screening at the airport before immigration.

The ministry noted that Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials.

What this means for travellers

Travellers arriving in Kenya should expect public health screening at airports and land border crossings, and should be aware that an Ebola outbreak is ongoing in DR Congo. Anyone who develops symptoms after travelling through affected areas should seek medical care and make their travel history clear to health staff.

No additional entry restrictions, travel bans or new screening requirements have been announced. The ministry said surveillance and monitoring of the identified contacts are continuing.