Ebola: Gov't urges calm, says systems in place to contain potential spread

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale urged the public not to panic, saying health authorities have maintained heightened surveillance since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.

“I wish to reassure the public not to panic, as all systems are in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” Duale said.

The Ministry has advised Kenyans to frequently wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers and avoid close contact with sick people arriving from countries reporting active transmission of Ebola.

Members of the public have also been advised to seek treatment at recognised health facilities when unwell and report suspected cases to the nearest health facility.  

The heightened alert follows the death of a Kenyan citizen who tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola after travelling to Kenya from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to the Ministry, the patient had lived in the DRC for seven years and fell ill about a month before travelling to Kenya. He had been treated at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda, from where he boarded Jambojet flight 8523 to Nairobi.

Upon arrival, the patient underwent routine public health screening at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before being taken by a relative and friend to Nairobi Hospital.

He was isolated at the hospital after presenting with symptoms including fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat and bleeding under the skin at injection sites.

Doctors suspected viral haemorrhagic fever, with subsequent tests at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and KEMRI laboratory returning positive for Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease. The patient later died despite receiving supportive treatment. 

Duale said authorities have so far identified 28 people who had contact with the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to him.

The government is also tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were aboard the same flight as the patient, with quarantine arrangements already prepared for those considered at risk.

The Ministry said Kenya has screened 652,584 travellers as of October 6 and tested 267 samples across five laboratories, with only one returning positive.

It has also trained 4,971 healthcare workers at national and county levels on Ebola prevention and management.

Two mobile laboratories have also been deployed at the Busia border, Busia County, and Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County as part of the government's surveillance measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has since been notified of the case in accordance with International Health Regulations. 

Health workers have meanwhile been advised to maintain the highest infection prevention and control measures regardless of the conditions they are treating.

The Ministry urged Kenyans to obtain updates through its official platforms and the toll-free line 719, saying it will continue providing information as it becomes available.