Kenya Confirms First Ebola Death as Outbreak Spreads

Tue Oct 06 2026 10:58:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Kenya reports its first Ebola death after a Kenyan resident returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain, amid a deadly outbreak that has claimed over 4,000 lives.

Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case, a Kenyan national who lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. The patient fell ill a month ago, was treated in several DRC hospitals, and died days after arriving in Nairobi. Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale confirmed that he was tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo strain after normal airport screening. The outbreak in the DRC has already claimed more than 4,000 deaths this year, marking it as Africa’s second deadliest Ebola outbreak. Follow the story on BBC Africa and stay updated via their social media channels.

Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case – a Kenyan national who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years.

Health Minister Aden Duale said the patient fell ill a month ago, received treatment in several hospitals in the DRC and died days after arriving in Nairobi.

The patient boarded a flight on Saturday, underwent normal public screening at Nairobi’s main airport, and was then transferred to a local hospital where he tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo strain.

So far, the DR Congo outbreak has claimed more than 4,000 lives this year, ranking as the second most deadly outbreak of the disease in recorded history.

Read more about the outbreak on BBCAfrica.com.

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