Editor's Review
The United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi has issued a health alert to American citizens living in Kenya following the confirmation of the first Ebola virus case in the country.
The United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi has issued a health alert to American citizens living in Kenya following the confirmation of the first Ebola virus case in the country.
In the alert on Wednesday, October 7, the embassy informed US citizens that the Ebola virus is a severe and often fatal disease.
“The government of Kenya reported a case of Bundibugyo virus disease (“Ebola”) on October 6. Health officials are conducting contact tracing of the patient. According to the Kenyan Ministry of Health, the individual traveled by land from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Uganda, with onward travel to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) via Jambojet flight 8523 on October 3, 2026.
“Ebola is a rare, severe, and often fatal hemorrhagic fever illness,” the alert read in part.
The US Embassy urged Americans to alert their healthcare provider if they experience Ebola symptoms.
Read More
“If at risk for Ebola, alert your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to receive guidance prior to presenting for care,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy also advised American nationals to continue taking malaria prophylaxis as recommended by their doctors, noting that symptoms of malaria can resemble those of Ebola and may lead to preventable health concerns.
“Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended by your doctor. Symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Ebola, leading to preventable health scares,” said the embassy.
The US citizens were advised to monitor their health for 21 days following travel to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
“Monitor your health for 21 days following travel to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak,” the alert added.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health reported the first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo) virus disease in Kenya.
In a statement, Health CS Aden Duale said the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the past seven years.
CS Duale said the patient 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.
CS Duale said the patient was given supportive treatment but later died.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has ordered the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following confirmation of the first Ebola case in Kenya.
The president tasked NCSS to recommend necessary measures to safeguard the country from the Ebola virus.
