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Ebola in Kenya

On 6 October 2026 Kenya confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo Ebola, a patient who had come from the DRC and died in Nairobi. His contacts remain under monitoring. The figures on this page come from the Kenya Ministry of Health and WHO, not from INSP bulletins.

First case

Kenya

Case confirmed on 6 October 2026, contacts under monitoring

1confirmed case
1death

Kenya confirmed its first case on 6 October 2026. The patient, a Kenyan who lived in the DRC, had been treated there in several health facilities. On 2 October he travelled by road to Kampala via Beni, then flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October.

Isolated at Nairobi Hospital, he died on the night of 5 October and was buried on 6 October following the safe burial protocol. Bundibugyo virus was detected by the National Virology Reference Laboratory and by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

28 contacts, including relatives and health workers, are being followed, as are the 23 passengers and 4 crew members of the flight. The country had been preparing since May: more than 652,000 travellers screened on entry, 267 suspected samples tested and about 5,000 health workers trained.

Sources

Situation as of 8 October 2026. See these countries on the map →

Frequently asked questions

Is there Ebola in Kenya?

Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on 6 October 2026. It is a case imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the patient died in Nairobi. As of 8 October 2026 it is the only confirmed case in the country, and the patient's contacts remain under monitoring.

Who was the patient and how did he reach Kenya?

A Kenyan who lived in the DRC, where he had been treated in several health facilities. On 2 October he travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, via Beni, then flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October. Isolated at Nairobi Hospital, he died there on the night of 5 October.

How many people are being followed in Kenya?

28 of the patient's contacts, including relatives and health workers, as well as the 23 passengers and 4 crew members of his flight.

Which Ebola virus is it?

Bundibugyo virus, the one behind the ongoing DRC outbreak. It was detected by the National Virology Reference Laboratory and by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

Was Kenya prepared?

Yes, since May 2026: more than 652,000 travellers were screened on entering the country, 267 suspected samples were tested and about 5,000 health workers were trained.

See also

Ebola in Uganda → Ebola in France → Outside the DRC: Uganda, France, Kenya → Timeline →