Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has expressed concern over Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend travel to Kenya and halt the issuance of visas to Kenyan travellers due to the Ebola outbreak. Duale described the move as excessive and unsupported by the current epidemiological situation in the country. He emphasized that Kenya has contained the outbreak within a single cluster with no evidence of community transmission.
According to Duale, all 135 contacts linked to the imported index case have been traced, with 118 placed under quarantine as health authorities moved to contain the spread of the disease. He also stated that all eight confirmed cases were directly linked to the index case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members. This, he said, demonstrates that the outbreak is under control.
Duale noted that the Ministry of Health-Kenya has not had any transmission of the disease outside the cluster and reiterated that there is no evidence of community transmission. He added that currently, seven patients are undergoing treatment, with five having returned their first negative Ebola test following treatment. The Ministry is expected to discharge five patients on November 3.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will continue engaging Saudi Arabia over the measures, Duale said, urging the international community to support Kenya's response rather than impose restrictions. He emphasized that what Kenya requires from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, travel restrictions, or isolation.
Duale's sentiments were echoed by the fact that 46 contacts who have remained symptom-free while under quarantine will be released on November 3. This, he said, is a clear indication that the country is winning the fight against the Ebola outbreak. He also expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will review its travel restrictions.
The Ebola outbreak in Kenya has been closely monitored by the Ministry of Health, with efforts focused on containing the spread of the disease. The Ministry has been working to ensure that all contacts are traced and placed under quarantine, and that patients receive the necessary treatment.
Kenya is seeking to engage with Saudi Arabia to review the travel restrictions, which have been deemed excessive by the Kenyan government. The international community has been urged to support Kenya's response to the Ebola outbreak, rather than imposing restrictions that could have negative impacts on the country's economy and global relations.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has challenged Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend travel to Kenya and halt the issuance of visas to Kenyan travellers over the Ebola outbreak.
- Health CS Aden Duale has described the move as excessive and unsupported by the current epidemiological situation in the country.
- Kenya has contained the outbreak within a single cluster with no evidence of community transmission and no new infections reported since October 19, 2026.
