Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, bringing the country’s total to two confirmed cases and one death, as health authorities intensify contact tracing and monitoring efforts to contain the outbreak.
According to a press release issued on 14 October 2026 by Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, the latest case involves a 39-year-old man who is a close family member of the first confirmed patient.
The man was already in quarantine under daily monitoring when he developed symptoms on 13 October, including fever, fatigue and joint pains. The quarantine team immediately isolated him and collected a specimen for testing.
Tests conducted by the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory returned matching positive results for Ebola, specifically Bundibugyo Virus Disease.
The patient has been admitted to a designated treatment centre, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care. According to the Ministry of Health, his illness was detected early because he was already in quarantine, improving the prospects of timely treatment and helping reduce the risk of further transmission.
“This is the response working as designed,” the Ministry stated, adding that further updates would be provided on the patient’s progress.
Health authorities said both confirmed cases are linked and that there is currently no evidence of transmission within the wider community.
As part of the response, the Ministry has identified 128 contacts associated with the first case. By 13 October, 113 of those contacts had been traced.
Of the contacts traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya, where they are undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last potential exposure. Five other contacts are outside the country, and the relevant health authorities have been notified in line with the International Health Regulations (2005).
Efforts to locate the remaining 15 contacts are ongoing. Response teams are also assessing people who may have interacted with the second patient since his symptoms began, including quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.
The Ministry said any contact who develops symptoms will be isolated and tested immediately. Infection prevention and control measures have also been reinforced at quarantine and treatment facilities, with protective equipment provided to healthcare personnel.
All healthcare workers have been instructed to observe strict infection prevention and control measures, regardless of the condition they are treating.
Kenya’s response is being coordinated under a single national command and guided by the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026. The World Health Organization has also been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
Despite the confirmed cases, the government said Kenya remains open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Dr Amoth urged the public to remain calm while staying vigilant, stressing the importance of understanding how Ebola spreads and recognising its symptoms early.
“Ebola is not spread through the air; it spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with, or has died from, the disease,” he stated.
He advised anyone experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.
The Ministry also urged the public to respect the privacy of the affected family and rely on official government updates for accurate information. Members of the public seeking further information can call the toll-free line 719.
With contact tracing continuing and exposed individuals under close monitoring, health authorities are relying on early detection, isolation and strict infection prevention measures to limit the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Leave a Reply