Kenya confirms third Ebola case, 127 contacts placed under quarantine

Kenya has confirmed a third case of Ebola following the detection of the disease in a 65-year-old woman who is a primary contact and close relative of the first and second cases, the Ministry of Health has announced.

In a press release dated October 16, 2026, Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth said the patient had been in quarantine since October 2, 2026, after developing a fever, sore throat and malaise.

She was isolated and a specimen collected for testing. The sample subsequently tested positive for Ebola virus disease, specifically the Bundibugyo strain, both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI laboratory.

The patient was immediately transferred to the Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU), where she is receiving supportive care from trained healthcare workers.

According to the ministry, the patient was diagnosed early while in quarantine and is currently receiving treatment, reducing the risk of further transmission.

The ministry said it had traced 127 of the 130 contacts identified in connection with the outbreak, representing 97.7 per cent of the total. All the contacts traced had been placed under quarantine for observation.

It added that there was no evidence of community transmission at the time of the announcement, with the risk of transmission remaining low as long as infection prevention and control measures were maintained.

“Being quarantined means the rest of her family and the general public is protected from exposure to the virus, hence reducing chances of community transmission,” stated Dr. Amoth.

The ministry further assured the public that the situation remained under surveillance and that additional measures were being implemented to contain the outbreak.

As part of the response, the government has distributed personal protective equipment (PPEs), infection prevention and control commodities, and public health screening equipment to high-risk counties and points of entry.

It has also supplied additional equipment to strengthen infection prevention and control measures at healthcare facilities nationwide.

The ministry said it was working to ensure every health worker was fully protected, with further travel screening measures being introduced at airports.

The government plans to deploy digital surveillance forms before the arrival of aircraft from high-risk countries, with the forms to be completed by arriving passengers and crew before they disembark.

The screening measures will be implemented at the country's airports, including enhanced public health screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The ministry reported that, cumulatively, it had screened 685,027 people since the outbreak began in May 2026.

It reiterated that Kenya remained open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if they developed symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding.

The Mministry clarified that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected or deceased person and does not spread through the air.

Kenyans experiencing symptoms were advised to contact the nearest health facility or call the Ministry of Health toll-free line on 719 for guidance.