Kenya confirms first Ebola death as outbreak spreads

Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case and death after a Kenyan national living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for seven years died in Nairobi.

Health Minister Aden Duale said the patient developed symptoms about a month ago and was treated at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling to Kampala, Uganda, and then flying to Nairobi. He underwent routine airport screening before being taken to hospital by a relative.

The patient was transferred to an isolation facility established during the Covid-19 pandemic after developing fever, chills, severe fatigue, painful swallowing, muscle pain, and bleeding under the skin.

“Doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever based on his symptoms and travel history and collected samples for testing. The sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus,” Duale said.

At least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, have been identified. Authorities are also tracing 23 passengers and four crewmembers from the same flight.

The case is linked to the ongoing DRC outbreak, where the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths. The outbreak is caused by the relatively rare Bundibugyo species, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

MSF has warned that transmission is accelerating, describing the spread as “like a megafire”. North Kivu now accounts for nearly 40% of newly confirmed cases, increasing pressure on surveillance, infection prevention, and healthcare capacity.