Jambojet says working with authorities to trace flight contacts after Ebola case

In a statement on Tuesday, the airline said the passenger travelled aboard flight JM 8523 from Entebbe to Nairobi on Saturday, October 3.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Health, Port Health Services and other relevant authorities to support the ongoing public health response, including the identification and management of the other guests and crew who may have been in contact with the individual,” Jambojet said.

The statement comes after the Ministry of Health confirmed Kenya's first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease.

According to the ministry, the patient was a Kenyan who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. He travelled from DRC to Kampala by road before boarding the Jambojet flight to Nairobi.     

The patient was later admitted to Nairobi Hospital and subsequently transferred to an isolation facility after presenting with symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic fever. Tests conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and KEMRI confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease. He later died.   

The ministry said it had identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers, and was tracing a further 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight.     

Jambojet said the health and safety of its passengers, crew and staff remained its highest priority and urged the public to rely on official information.