How Ebola is Transmitted and its Symptoms – Patrick Amoth

The Director General for Health Patrick Amoth has explained that Ebola is mainly transmitted by direct contact with a person infected with the disease or the body of a person who has died from the virus. 

Speaking on Tuesday, October 6, during an interview, Amoth said the Ebola virus can also be transmitted by coming into contact with a contaminated surface through broken skin or mucous membranes. 

“The main mode of transmission of Ebola is by direct contact, either with a person suffering from Ebola or a body of a deceased person who has died from Ebola, and you can also touch a contaminated surface through broken skin or mucous membranes,” he stated. 

The Health Director General also explained that Ebola is not spread through air or droplet transmission. 

Amoth also said the symptoms of the virus include headache, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bleeding manifestations. 

At the same time, he noted that Ebola has three strains that are capable of causing large outbreaks. The strains include Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo. 

According to Amoth, the Bundibugyo does have a vaccine or a treatment, and therefore management is mainly supportive. 

“Unlike the Zaire strain, the Bundibugyo has no vaccine or treatment, and therefore management is mainly supportive,” Amoth stated. 

The Health DG urged members of the public to always wash their hands using soap and sanitizers, avoid crowded places, and keep distance from somebody with Ebola symptoms. 

He also appealed members of the public to avoid handshakes and hugging. 

“I want to appeal to Kenyans going forward: we can avoid handshakes and hugging; we can just wave,” he said. 

Amoth called on any Kenyan with the symptoms to report to the nearest health facility for medical attention. 

“The important message to the public is that if you have any symptoms, please report to the nearest health facility, because if you report early, we can be able to manage you supportively, and the chances of survival are nearly 50 percent,” he said. 

Kenya Red Cross CEO Ahmed Idris emphasized that the control of the Ebola disease will rely on community collaboration and cooperation. 

“The control of Ebola and interruption of transmission relies 100% on community collaboration and cooperation, especially in the declaration and reporting of symptoms. Without that, there is very little the surveillance teams can do,” Idris stated. 

This comes after the Ministry of Health reported the first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) virus disease in Kenya. 

In a statement on Tuesday, October 6, the Ministry of Health said the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years. 

The Ministry said he fell ill about a month ago and received treatment at several hospitals while in the DRC.

The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala before boarding Jambo Jet flight number 8523 to Nairobi. 

He arrived in Nairobi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:10 pm and underwent the normal public health screening at the Port Health and Immigration desk.

After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the patient was transported directly to Nairobi Hospital by a relative and a friend using a Toyota Fielder vehicle.

He was quickly isolated in a separate room at the hospital's Accident and Emergency department before being transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility.

The patient presented with fever, chills, intense fatigue and weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.

The Ministry said the patient was given supportive treatment but later died.

"The patient was given supportive treatment but regrettably passed on last night. We take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the departed," the statement added.