Ebola Patient Travelled From DRC Through Uganda Before Reaching Nairobi

Kenya's first confirmed Ebola patient had travelled across two countries before arriving in Nairobi, health officials have revealed.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the patient had spent about seven years living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he became ill approximately one month before reaching Kenya.

He was reportedly treated at several hospitals in the DRC before beginning his journey back home by road through Uganda.

Patient Arrived in Nairobi by Plane

After travelling through Uganda, the patient boarded a Jumbo Jet carrying 23 passengers before flying into Kenya.

The aircraft landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 1:10pm on Saturday, October 3, according to details released by Duale.

The Ministry of Health has identified the infection as Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease, a strain currently responsible for a major outbreak in the DRC.

The confirmation came after Kenya had spent months strengthening surveillance and preparedness measures because of the outbreak in neighbouring countries.

Health Authorities Begin Response

The development has increased attention on passengers and other people who may have come into contact with the infected traveller.

Reuters reported that 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, had been identified after the case was confirmed.

The DRC outbreak has expanded significantly, with thousands of confirmed cases and deaths reported across several provinces, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO has continued to rate the risk in the DRC as very high while warning that cross-border transmission remains a concern for neighbouring countries.