Kenya confirms first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus

There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola but some have been trialled

Kenya has confirmed its first ever case of Ebola - a Kenyan citizen who has been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the past seven years.

Duale said the patient boarded a flight on Saturday and underwent normal public screening at the main airport in Nairobi before he was transferred by a relative to a hospital in the city.

Shortly after DR Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola in May, it was also reported in Uganda, where two people have died. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that county free of the disease in August.

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The current outbreak in DR Congo has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is relatively rare, with no approved vaccine or treatment.

Duale confirmed that the Kenyan national had tested positive for the Bundibugyo species.

Duale said that after being taken to the Nairobi Hospital, the patient was transferred to an isolation facility which was built during the Covid-19.

"Doctors suspected a viral haemorrhagic fever based on his symptoms and travel history and collected samples for testing. The sample tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus," Duale said.

At least 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, have been identified, while health authorities are tracing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.

Medical charity MSF believes the current toll could be even higher because of gaps in surveillance and testing in the war-torn country.

Since early September this has "intensified dramatically" with the province now accounting for nearly 40% of all newly confirmed cases nationwide, MSF said.