Kenya has reported nine confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, including two deaths, the World Health Organization's Africa regional office said on 26 October 2026.
The outbreak began with an imported case confirmed on 6 October. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told a news conference that the patient, a Kenyan who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years, had been ill for about a month before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda, and then flying to Nairobi, where he died, Al Jazeera reported.
According to WHO, eight contacts of that first case later developed symptoms and tested positive. All eight were already in quarantine and were moved to the Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi. WHO says all nine cases belong to one connected group and there is no evidence of spread to the community.
By 22 October, WHO says, all contacts had been traced in Kenya and abroad and placed in quarantine. On 26 October, 20 contacts were released after 21 days without symptoms, and 98 remained in quarantine. Capital FM has reported that a further group of contacts is due to be discharged on 3 November.
WHO says there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, and that early detection and supportive care improve the chances of recovery.
The agency advises against travel restrictions and recommends screening at points of entry, surveillance and contact tracing. The outbreak in the DRC remains far larger: Al Jazeera, citing government figures, reported more than 4,000 deaths and 8,300 confirmed cases across seven provinces in early October.
Figures in this report are as of 26 October 2026 and may have changed. Readers should follow Ministry of Health and WHO updates.
Sources: WHO Africa; Al Jazeera; Capital FM