Kenya on Ebola Alert After First Confirmed Case and Death
By Samson Njeru
Kenya is on Ebola alert after the country confirmed its first case of Ebola, with the patient later succumbing to the disease.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on 6th October 2026 that a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had tested positive for Ebola after travelling from the DRC through Uganda to Kenya. The patient arrived in Nairobi on 3rd October and was taken to a hospital, where he was isolated and tested positive for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. He later died while receiving treatment.
Aden Duale said that 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and health workers, had been identified and were being followed up. The Ministry of Health is also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight as the deceased.
The announcement comes as the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to battle a major Ebola outbreak. More than 8,400 cases have been recorded in the country, with more than 4,000 deaths reported. The outbreak has spread across several provinces and is considered one of the most serious Ebola outbreaks in the country's history.
The disease has also been reported in other countries. According to World Health Organization reports (WHO), Uganda recorded 20 Ebola cases, with two deaths, while France recorded one case involving a doctor who was later discharged after receiving treatment. Uganda was as well declared free of the disease.
What is Ebola and why is it dangerous?
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral illness caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. Case-fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90% in previous outbreaks, while the average case-fatality rate is around 50%.
Ebola is dangerous because it can cause severe illness and can spread through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease. Severe cases can lead to organ failure, shock and death.
Symptoms typically appear 2–21 days after exposure.
Signs and symptoms of Ebola
Ebola signs and symptoms could include:
Sudden fever
Severe weakness and fatigue
Muscle and joint pain
Headache
Sore throat
Loss of appetite and chills
Later, after 4–5 days, "wet" symptoms may appear, including:
Vomiting and diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Unexplained bleeding from the gums, eyes, nose or injection sites
Skin rash and red eyes
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Confusion
Hiccups or seizures
Severe cases can lead to organ failure, shock and death. Survivors may experience long-term complications such as fatigue, joint pain, vision problems, memory loss and psychological effects such as PTSD.
Prevention of Ebola
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preventive measures against Ebola disease include infection control in healthcare settings, avoiding contact with infected animals, safe burial practices and vaccination where an appropriate vaccine is available.
Proper hygiene is also encouraged, where regular hand cleaning should be the key. Members of the public are encouraged to seek medical attention and testing when they develop symptoms or their health starts deteriorating so they can receive the necessary care early. Early supportive care can improve the chances of survival.
People should also avoid direct contact with sick people and their bodily fluids, avoid handling the bodies of people who have died from suspected Ebola, and avoid contact with animals that may be infected. Health workers are advised to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures when caring for suspected or confirmed cases.
As Kenya responds to its first confirmed case and death, health authorities continue to emphasize vigilance, early detection, proper hygiene, contact tracing and infection control to prevent further spread of the disease.
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