Director General for Health Patrick Amoth explained that Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person or the body of someone who has died from the virus.

He added that the virus can also be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces with broken skin or mucous membranes, but it is not transmitted through air or droplets.

Amoth listed the common clinical signs of Ebola as headache, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations.

He noted that three Ebola strains—Zaire, Sudan and Bundibugyo—have caused large outbreaks, and that the Bundibugyo strain currently lacks a specific vaccine or treatment, requiring mainly supportive care.

The health chief urged Kenyans to wash hands regularly with soap or sanitizer, avoid crowded places, keep distance from anyone showing Ebola symptoms, and replace handshakes and hugs with a wave.

He emphasized that anyone experiencing Ebola-like symptoms should report immediately to the nearest health facility, as early reporting improves chances of survival to about 50 percent.

Kenya Red Cross CEO Ahmed Idris highlighted that controlling Ebola relies entirely on community cooperation in reporting symptoms and supporting surveillance efforts.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that Kenya’s first imported case involved a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years, fell ill there, and travelled to Nairobi via Kampala on a Jambo Jet flight.

The patient arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on 3 October, underwent routine screening, and was taken to Nairobi Hospital where he was isolated and later transferred to the East Wing Isolation Facility.

He presented with fever, chills, severe fatigue, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding at injection sites, received supportive treatment, but died shortly after admission.