Panic in Kenya: Passenger infected with Ebola lands in the country and dies

A Kenyan citizen who lived in Congo for seven years contracted Ebola, boarded a flight to Nairobi, and underwent routine checks at the airport. He was taken to a hospital by a relative and died a few days later. Tests confirmed he was infected with a virulent strain of the virus. Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case, raising fears of an outbreak.

Kenya confirmed today (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) its first Ebola case, after a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the past seven years arrived in the capital Nairobi and died a few days later. Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale reported that the patient had felt unwell about a month ago and received treatment at several hospitals in Congo, where the death toll from the virus has exceeded 4,000 people this year. The patient boarded a flight last Saturday (October 3) and underwent routine screening tests at Nairobi's airport before being taken by a relative to a city hospital. Tests confirmed he was infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The Ebola outbreak in Congo is considered the second deadliest in the disease's history, and its arrival in Kenya highlights the challenges facing African healthcare systems. Kenyan authorities have launched an investigation and are monitoring all contacts of the patient in an effort to prevent further transmission.