Nairobi County has stepped up its Ebola response measures following the confirmation of a case in the capital. Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that 923 health workers and 1,598 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have undergone specialized training on early detection, identification, and reporting of suspected Ebola cases across the city's 17 sub-counties. This training aims to equip health workers with the necessary skills to detect and respond to potential Ebola cases.
In addition to the training, more than 60 laboratory officers have been trained on the safe collection and handling of samples as the county strengthens its capacity to respond to potential cases. The county has also activated Rapid Response Teams in all 17 sub-counties, with the County Emergency Operations Centre coordinating surveillance, case reporting, contact tracing, and emergency interventions. These teams will play a crucial role in identifying and responding to suspected Ebola cases.
The heightened response follows the death of a 39-year-old Kenyan man who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for seven years before traveling to Kenya through Uganda on October 3, 2026. The patient was admitted to a Nairobi hospital after arriving in the country, where samples collected from him tested positive for Ebola at the National Public Health Laboratory. He subsequently died, highlighting the need for swift and effective response measures.
The county has since begun tracing 28 contacts linked to the deceased patient, as well as 27 passengers who traveled on the same flight, in an effort to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus. According to the county's surveillance report, 22 suspected Ebola cases have been reported in Nairobi since May 16, 2026, across 11 of the city's 17 sub-counties. This contact tracing is crucial in preventing further spread of the disease.
Mama Margaret Uhuru Kenyatta Hospital has been designated as Nairobi's Ebola isolation facility, with the county working to strengthen its capacity to receive and manage suspected and confirmed cases. Health facilities across the city have also been directed to reinforce infection prevention and control measures, including proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of patients, and ambulance disinfection. These measures aim to prevent the spread of the disease.
Simulation exercises have been conducted at Mbagathi Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, to test the readiness of emergency response teams. The county is also stepping up public awareness campaigns through Community Health Promoters, radio broadcasts, digital platforms, and community engagement forums. These efforts aim to educate the public on the risks of Ebola and the importance of early reporting.
Residents have been urged to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding, particularly after contact with a suspected patient or travel to an affected area. The county has cautioned residents against direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of suspected Ebola patients and against handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from the disease. Cooperation from the public is critical in containing the threat.
Key points
- Nairobi County has trained 923 health workers and 1,598 Community Health Promoters to detect and report suspected Ebola cases.
- The county has activated Rapid Response Teams in all 17 sub-counties to coordinate surveillance and response efforts.
- Residents are urged to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.
