Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case after a traveller from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in Nairobi. Health authorities have launched an urgent contact-tracing operation.

The Kenyan man had lived in the DRC for seven years. He fell ill about a month ago, then travelled by road to Kampala in Uganda. He flew to Nairobi on October 3 and passed routine screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

He was taken to Nairobi Hospital by a relative as his condition worsened. Doctors found fever, chills and bleeding under the skin, and isolated him. He died late on Monday night.

Samples tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola at two laboratories. Officials have identified 28 contacts, including relatives and health workers. They are also tracing 23 passengers and four crew from his flight.

Kenya is the third country hit by the DRC outbreak, which has crossed 8,000 cases and 4,100 deaths, the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record.