Over 140K travellers screened for Ebola, no positive case recorded - CS Duale

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 25, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale assured Kenyans that the country has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease despite ongoing outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The CS said the government had heightened preparedness measures to ensure the country is ready to respond should an imported case be detected.

According to the ministry, the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) activated the national Ebola Incident Management System on May 20, 2026, to coordinate preparedness activities across the country.

Among the measures implemented are enhanced screening of travellers at airports and land border points, strengthened surveillance and rapid response systems in counties, expansion of laboratory testing capacity, and preparation of isolation and treatment facilities.

The ministry has also intensified training and sensitisation of healthcare workers, stockpiled personal protective equipment and other critical supplies, and stepped up public awareness campaigns.

Duale clarified that the establishment of quarantine and isolation facilities should not be interpreted to mean that Kenya has an Ebola case.

"Just as a country prepares fire engines before a fire occurs, public health authorities must prepare isolation and quarantine facilities before an outbreak occurs," he explained.

He noted that preparedness measures are essential in containing any suspected case, protecting healthcare workers and preventing further spread into communities.

The CS further emphasised that investing in preparedness is cheaper than responding to a full-blown outbreak, noting that previous Ebola outbreaks in Africa resulted in billions of dollars in economic losses due to disruptions in travel, trade, tourism and investment.

The ministry urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant and continue observing preventive measures, including regular hand washing, avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, avoiding non-essential travel to affected countries, and seeking immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola after travelling to affected areas.

Kenyans were also advised to obtain information on the disease only from official Ministry of Health communication channels.