Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a traveller who returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in Nairobi. It is the first Ebola death in Kenya's history.

The patient was a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the DRC for seven years. He fell ill about a month ago while still in the DRC and received treatment at several health facilities there.

He travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, and then boarded a flight to Nairobi on October 3.

Samples tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola at two national laboratories. He died on Monday night despite supportive treatment.

Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including relatives and health workers. They are also trying to trace 23 passengers and four crew members from the same flight.

The DRC is battling its largest-ever Ebola outbreak from the Bundibugyo strain, with more than 8,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths reported.

A WHO official said the coming days would be decisive in preventing community spread. Kenya has urged the public not to panic and said all response systems are in place.