According to Tedros, the patient fell ill while in the DRC and received treatment at several hospitals before travelling from the DRC to Nairobi, Kenya, through Kampala, Uganda.
The Kenyan government has reported an imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus in a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, disclosed this in a statement shared on his official X account.
According to Tedros, the patient fell ill while in the DRC and received treatment at several hospitals before travelling from the DRC to Nairobi, Kenya, through Kampala, Uganda.
He said the patient subsequently died in Nairobi.
“The Government of Kenya has reported imported case of Ebola caused by Bundibugyo virus, in a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC,” Tedros said.
“The patient became ill in DRC and received treatment in several hospitals, then travelled from DRC to Nairobi via Kampala, Uganda. He died in Nairobi yesterday.
“My condolences to his family and loved ones.”
The WHO chief said the UN health agency was supporting the governments of Kenya, the DRC and Uganda in response efforts following the reported case.
He said the measures include contact tracing, surveillance and screening to identify potential cases and prevent further transmission of the virus.
“WHO is supporting the governments of Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda in contact tracing, surveillance, screening, and other response measures to rapidly identify potential cases and prevent further spread of the virus,” he said.
Tedros said the WHO was continuing to monitor the situation closely.
He also advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on the affected countries based on the information currently available.
The Kenyan government notified WHO of the case on October 6 in line with the International Health Regulations.
Kenya is the fourth country to confirm BVD. The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently responding to an outbreak, while Uganda ended its latest outbreak in August 2026. France also reported a travel-related case in June 2026.
Kenyan health authorities have so far listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient.
Authorities are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient, with arrangements being made for follow-up and quarantine of people considered at risk.
“WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the affected countries based on the currently available information,” he said.
“We continue to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this epidemic.”
The Bundibugyo virus is one of the viruses that causes Ebola disease, a severe illness that can spread through contact with infected bodily fluids.
