NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease and later died in Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Tuesday that the patient had lived in the DRC for seven years before travelling by road to Uganda and later flying to Nairobi on October 3.

The patient developed symptoms during the journey and was taken from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to hospital, where tests confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease. He died on Monday night.

Kenya traces contacts after imported Ebola case

Kenyan health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including relatives and healthcare workers who may have been exposed to the patient.

Officials are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who travelled on the same flight.

Authorities have begun quarantine measures for people considered at risk and notified the World Health Organization of the confirmed case.

Kenya steps up Ebola surveillance

Kenya had strengthened disease surveillance before the imported case was detected amid concerns over the regional outbreak.

The Health Ministry said more than 652,000 travelers had been screened since the outbreak began in May, while nearly 5,000 healthcare workers had received Ebola-related training.

The World Health Organization had also supported preparedness measures along Kenya’s western border with Uganda.

DRC battles Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak

The imported case comes as the Democratic Republic of Congo battles a major outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease that has spread across multiple provinces.

According to WHO figures, the DRC had recorded 6,757 confirmed cases and 3,267 deaths as of September 7.

Health authorities remain concerned about the risk of transmission across national borders as countries in the region strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures.