The new patient developed symptoms including fever, fatigue, and joint pain on Tuesday while already in quarantine and under daily observation. He subsequently tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus and has been isolated for supportive medical care.
Health officials stated that early detection of this case improves the chances of recovery and indicates that contact tracing efforts are effective. They also reported no evidence of wider community transmission.
The first case in Kenya was identified on October 6, involving a 40-year-old who had resided in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years before arriving in Nairobi on October 3. This individual died on October 5. Authorities have been tracing the contacts of the first patient, with most of his 128 identified contacts now in quarantine.
These cases are connected to the significant Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which began in May 2026. That outbreak has resulted in over 9,000 confirmed cases and more than 4,300 deaths, making it the largest and deadliest recorded for that strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
In response, Kenya has intensified screening measures at its borders and airports.