Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread across the region.

According to a statement published Tuesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC and fell ill there.

The patient travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where the patient was isolated after developing symptoms. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Despite supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday in line with Kenya’s Ebola safe and dignified burial protocol, according to WHO.

“The government of Kenya notified WHO of the case in line with the International Health Regulations (2005) on 6 October 2026,” it noted.

Kenya becomes fourth country affected

According to WHO, Kenya is the fourth country to confirm a case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the current outbreak.

The DRC continues to battle the largest outbreak, while Uganda, where the virus was first detected in 2007, ended its latest outbreak in August. France also reported a travel-related case in June.

WHO noted that most of the cases reported in Uganda were imported from the DRC, while a smaller number were locally acquired among contacts and health workers linked to imported cases.

In the DRC, the outbreak has continued to expand. As of 23 September, the country had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths, giving a case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.

The outbreak had affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with two of the latest affected areas bordering other countries. WHO said the expansion had increased the risk of cross-border transmission.

Kenya traces contacts

Following confirmation of the case, Kenyan health authorities have listed 28 contacts, including family members and health workers who cared for the patient.

They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient.

WHO said Kenya had been on high alert since May, when Ebola outbreaks were declared in the DRC and Uganda.

As of Tuesday, Kenya had screened more than 652,000 travellers entering the country, tested 267 suspected samples and trained about 5,000 health workers on Ebola prevention and management.

WHO said it has also supplied about 1,000 Ebola tests and 1,000 personal protective equipment kits to high-risk counties in Kenya.

READ ALSO: DRC Ebola outbreak remains active as death toll reaches 3,779 – Africa CDC

Nigeria on high alert

Nigeria has also strengthened surveillance in response to the regional outbreak.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in a public health advisory issued in September that the country was on high alert and had activated enhanced surveillance measures.

It introduced a health declaration system under which travellers from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete a form before boarding.

The form requires travellers to provide information about their recent travel history, transit countries, destination in Nigeria and health status.

The NCDC said the measures are intended to strengthen surveillance and prevent the importation of Ebola into Nigeria.

The governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, in Ogun State, Babajide Matthew, has urged the Federal Government to continue to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with the necessary independence and institutional space to conduct the 2027 elections impartially.

He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing an environment for INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference, arguing that sustaining such independence would be crucial to strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s electoral democracy ahead of the general elections.

Matthew stated this on Tuesday in an open letter to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.

While commending the commission for the progress demonstrated in recent electoral processes, particularly the Osun State governorship election, he noted that the conduct of the poll provided an opportunity for Nigerians to observe INEC’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism and due process.

“I respectfully encourage the Federal Government to continue to give the Commission the necessary independence and institutional space to conduct the 2027 elections impartially,” he stated.

Matthew said many Nigerians were looking towards INEC with renewed expectations with Amupitan at the helm of affairs, expressing optimism that the commission under his watch had an important opportunity to further strengthen confidence in the nation’s democracy.

The governorship candidate, while lauding the Legal Department of INEC for its diligence and professionalism in supporting and defending the integrity of the electoral system, commended the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Mrs Saseyi Ibiyemi, for working assiduously in the state.

“As a political candidate, I recognise that my responsibility is to participate in the democratic process and to respect the institutions established to conduct it. As a Nigerian, however, my greater interest is in seeing a credible electoral process that reflects the genuine will of the people,” he added.