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US raises Kenya travel alert as Ebola spreads across East and West Africa

The United States elevated its travel warning for Kenya to Level 3 following confirmed cases, while Nigeria reported its first Ebola infection with the Bundibugyo strain.

22 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: US raises Kenya travel alert as Ebola spreads across East and West Africa — Archive photoPhoto: Dieulaisevambesa · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The United States embassy in Kenya raised its travel advisory level from 2 to 3, urging American citizens to reconsider travel to the country. This step came after Kenya confirmed eight Ebola cases during a broader regional outbreak. Level 3 advises increased caution, while the new level recommends reconsidering travel altogether.

The Ebola outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May, has now spread beyond Central Africa. Nigeria confirmed its first case of the virus on the African continent outside the original epicentre, marking a significant geographical expansion of the outbreak.

The patient in Nigeria was identified as a woman who travelled from Uganda to the capital Abuja on 3 October aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET333, landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. According to reports, the patient is a diplomat. The case was confirmed by Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials determined that Nigeria's confirmed case involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is responsible for a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the World Health Organization, there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available for this strain.

The Bundibugyo strain has been described as the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its detection in Nigeria represents the first time this particular strain has reached West Africa.

Uganda has reacted to Nigeria's confirmation of the Ebola case, though the specific nature of that response remains unclear from available reports. The spread of the virus across multiple countries has prompted emergency meetings among health authorities to coordinate response efforts.

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