Africa CDC Unravels How Kenyan Ebola Patient Crossed DRC, Uganda and Kenya Without Detection

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed how a Kenyan businessman infected with Ebola travelled through three African countries without being detected, raising concerns about regional disease surveillance and border screening systems.

The 40-year-old man, who had been living and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years, developed symptoms in September but received treatment for other illnesses before his infection was confirmed in Nairobi.

According to Africa CDC emergency preparedness chief Wessam Mankoula, the patient initially presented with a fever and skin rash.

Medical personnel suspected a staphylococcal infection and prescribed treatment, but his condition failed to improve despite visits to several health facilities.

The patient was eventually diagnosed with Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease after arriving at Nairobi Hospital in critical condition.

Details shared by Africa CDC indicate that the businessman travelled extensively within the DRC before crossing into Uganda and eventually boarding a commercial flight to Kenya.

He travelled by road from Buta to Kisangani before taking a domestic flight to Beni, a town in the Ebola-affected North Kivu region.

From there, he continued towards the Ugandan border and crossed into the neighbouring country despite restrictions imposed to contain the outbreak.

The businessman then travelled by public transport to Kampala before proceeding to Entebbe International Airport.

On October 3, he boarded a Jambojet flight to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Despite undergoing airport health screening, the patient was not identified as a suspected Ebola case.

Kenyan health authorities said medication taken during his prolonged illness may have temporarily masked some of his symptoms, making it difficult for thermal scanners to detect the infection.

However, the circumstances surrounding his passage through different screening points remain under scrutiny.After arriving in Nairobi, the businessman was taken to Nairobi Hospital, where doctors identified severe symptoms, including bleeding beneath the skin.

Laboratory tests conducted by Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute independently confirmed that he had contracted Bundibugyo Ebola.

His condition deteriorated, and he died on October 5, just two days after arriving in the country.

His case prompted health authorities to intensify contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus during his journey and treatment.

Health Authorities Strengthen Surveillance

The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of screening procedures at healthcare facilities, land borders and international airports.

Kenya has since strengthened surveillance measures, including enhanced screening at JKIA and efforts to trace passengers and other individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.

The case has also highlighted the importance of cooperation between neighbouring countries in responding to infectious disease outbreaks.

Africa CDC’s findings underscore the challenges of detecting Ebola when early symptoms resemble common illnesses and infected travellers move across borders before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Health authorities continue to monitor potentially exposed individuals as Kenya works to prevent further transmission of the virus.

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