Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Ebola after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years died in Nairobi. He tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The man travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, then boarded JamboJet flight 8523 to Nairobi on October 3. He was screened at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before being taken directly to Nairobi Hospital by a relative.

Samples tested positive for Ebola Bundibugyo virus at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. He was placed on supportive treatment but died on the night of October 5, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said.

Authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and health workers, and are tracing 23 passengers and four crew members from the flight. Quarantine arrangements for those at risk are under way.

The DRC has been battling an Ebola outbreak since mid-May, with more than 8,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.