The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Kenya as one of 10 African countries at risk of Ebola due to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DRC outbreak has now approached 8,000 confirmed cases. Kenya's position on major regional transport routes has made border surveillance a key part of the preparedness response. Health authorities have maintained enhanced surveillance at points of entry and strengthened preparedness to detect and respond to a possible imported case.
The list of countries at risk, issued by Africa CDC, includes Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zambia. Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said the countries have been urged to strengthen surveillance, preparedness at points of entry, laboratory capacity, and the ability to rapidly isolate and manage suspected cases. Kenya has not reported a confirmed case of Bundibugyo Ebola.
The regional picture has changed, with Uganda lifting out of the immediate outbreak response after completing the required monitoring period without a new case. The United Arab Emirates has eased Ebola-related travel restrictions on Ugandan nationals. The UAE introduced the measures on June 6, 2026, suspending the issuance of new visas to nationals of Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan.
The epidemiological situation in the DRC shows signs of improvement in some indicators, although transmission remains active. According to the latest assessment, the DRC had recorded 7,911 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,801 confirmed deaths, giving a case-fatality ratio of about 48 per cent. The outbreak has spread to 63 health zones across seven provinces, with Ituri remaining the main centre of transmission.
The situation in South Ubangi has drawn particular attention because of the province's border position and high population mobility. DRC Health Minister Dr Samuel Roger Kamba met national deputies from South Ubangi to review the health situation and the response to Ebola. The discussions covered surveillance, case detection, treatment, contact tracing, and community prevention.
WHO's regional preparedness work continues across countries considered vulnerable to importation. Africa CDC has separately convened high-risk countries to strengthen preparedness at borders and ensure that health systems can detect and contain an imported infection before it establishes local transmission. Health officials are watching the movement of people across borders, the ability to trace contacts, and the speed at which suspected cases can be tested and isolated.
The DRC authorities have described South Ubangi as a priority area because of its location and population movement. The province has recorded additional cases after becoming the seventh province affected by the outbreak. The change comes as the epidemiological situation in the DRC shows signs of improvement in some indicators, although transmission remains active.
Key points
- Kenya is among 10 African countries identified by Africa CDC as at risk of Ebola.
- The DRC Ebola outbreak has approached 8,000 confirmed cases.
- Health authorities in Kenya have maintained enhanced surveillance at points of entry.
