Kenya nears Ebola-free countdown after six recoveries, 18 days without new case

The Ministry of Health said Friday that the latest recovery involved a male patient who was being discharged after testing negative and meeting the required criteria.

Only one patient remains under care and is receiving treatment and close monitoring, while the total number of confirmed cases remains at nine.

In a statement marking Day 32 of the outbreak response, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said all confirmed infections were linked to one chain of transmission, with no community spread reported.

“Only one (1) patient remains under care and continues to receive treatment and close monitoring. No new case has been recorded for eighteen (18) days, since 19th October 2026. The total number of confirmed cases remains nine (9), all from one known chain of transmission, and there has been no spread in the community,” stated Amoth.

The Ministry also announced that 66 contacts had completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and returned home, while another 52 were expected to complete their quarantine by November 11.

Dr Amoth further noted that Kenya has not yet started the countdown to being declared Ebola-free, and said the 42-day period would begin once the last patient is discharged from the treatment centre after testing free of the virus.

The period, which is twice the longest incubation time for the disease, must pass without another confirmed case for the outbreak to be officially declared over.

“When the last patient leaves the treatment centre free of the virus, Kenya will begin a 42-day countdown, twice the longest time it takes for the illness to appear. If no new case is recorded in those 42 days, the outbreak will be declared over. Until that day, we must not let down our guard,” added.

The last new infection was recorded on October 19, with the Ministry attributing the progress to early detection, isolation and treatment of patients, contact tracing and monitoring.

The government said it would maintain surveillance at all 26 points of entry, where more than 760,000 travellers have so far been screened, as well as keep emergency operations centres and rapid response teams on alert across the country.

Despite the ongoing response, the Ministry maintained that Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.

It urged members of the public to remain vigilant, seek medical attention early if they develop symptoms and report suspected cases or unexplained deaths.

The public can report suspected cases or seek information by calling the toll-free number 719 or using the Jali WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719.