Kenyan President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee to assess the country's Ebola situation and recommend additional measures after a patient confirmed to have an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease died. The government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, testing, and other public health measures to prevent further transmission. This move comes as the country confirms its first case of Ebola, with the deceased patient having entered Kenya from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, was a family member of a person who had recently traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily monitoring for symptoms, while 21 healthcare workers who attended to the patient have also been quarantined. Authorities have extended contact tracing to passengers who traveled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya.
So far, 27 passengers who may have come into contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, with public health measures being implemented. The deceased has since been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols. The government has deployed surveillance and rapid response teams across the country, building on preparedness measures maintained since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.
As of October 6, 2026, Kenya had screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 samples in five laboratories. The samples were tested at the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu, and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points. Of the 267 samples tested, only one has returned positive—the deceased patient.
The government has trained 4,971 healthcare workers at national and subnational levels on Ebola prevention, detection, and management. Designated Ebola treatment capacity currently includes eight beds at Kenyatta National Hospital, 50 at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, 49 at National Police Hospital, and 143 at The Nairobi Hospital, in addition to several county isolation centers.
The capacity will be expanded through the designation of additional facilities if the situation evolves. The government has urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant while observing strict hand hygiene and avoiding contact with people exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola. These symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding.
The Ministry of Health is expected to issue additional guidelines on safeguards and preventive measures for individuals and institutions as the government continues to monitor the situation. The government plans to set up a Ksh.70B Ebola response fund with support from the US and World Bank. Kenyans have been advised to report suspected Ebola exposures and individuals displaying symptoms consistent with the disease to health authorities.
Key points
- President Ruto directs enhanced Ebola response measures after Kenya confirms first case
- Government intensifies surveillance, contact tracing, and testing to prevent further transmission
- Kenya screens 652,584 travelers and tests 267 samples, with only one positive case reported
