Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, after a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo travelled through Uganda to Nairobi. The patient died on 5 October, and health authorities are tracing people who may have been exposed.
The case was confirmed by Kenyan authorities and notified to the World Health Organization on 6 October under the International Health Regulations. The patient had fallen ill while living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and had received care at several health facilities there.
According to the account of the journey, the patient travelled by road through Beni to Kampala on 2 October, then flew to Nairobi, arriving on 3 October. After arrival, the patient was taken to a Nairobi hospital and quickly isolated. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
The patient died on the night of 5 October despite supportive care. Burial took place the following day under Kenya’s safe and dignified burial protocol for Ebola, designed to reduce the risk of transmission.
Contact tracing and screening
Kenyan health authorities have listed 28 contacts, including relatives and health workers who cared for the patient. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight to Nairobi. Follow-up and quarantine arrangements are being made for people assessed as being at risk. These are precautionary public-health measures; the available information does not report any additional confirmed cases in Kenya.
The response includes strengthened coordination and case investigation, enhanced monitoring of identified contacts, screening at high-risk points of entry and risk communication with communities. Health authorities are seeking to detect any further cases early and limit opportunities for onward transmission.
The case tests preparedness built over recent months. Kenya says it has screened more than 652,000 travellers entering the country since May, tested 267 samples from suspected cases and trained about 5,000 health workers in Ebola prevention and management. Preparedness work has included assessing isolation units in 27 high-risk counties, training case managers, updating surveillance tools and conducting simulation exercises.
Additional support has included the delivery of about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits for high-risk counties. Kenya’s preparedness score, covering areas such as surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and response teams, rose from 66 per cent in May to 82 per cent in July, according to the published assessment.
A regional outbreak context
Kenya is the fourth country to confirm Bundibugyo virus disease. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is responding to an ongoing outbreak. Uganda ended its latest outbreak in August, while a travel-related case was reported in France in June.
The patient’s route through Uganda has prompted regional attention. Kenya and neighbouring authorities are undertaking contact tracing and exchanging information, while health agencies are supporting the response. The case highlights the need for surveillance and rapid investigation across borders, but it does not by itself establish further transmission in Kenya or elsewhere.
Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe illness that can be fatal. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, or contaminated materials. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the disease, although candidate products are being evaluated in clinical trials.
Health authorities are urging vigilance while carrying out tracing, screening and follow-up. The immediate priority is to monitor people who may have been exposed and identify any possible further cases promptly.
