Over 80K travellers screened, 56 samples test negative as Gov't steps up Ebola preparedness

Kenya has intensified nationwide surveillance and emergency preparedness measures in response to the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, even as the government reassured the public that no confirmed case has been reported in the country.

In a press statement issued on Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya remains at an elevated risk of disease importation due to its close regional connectivity through trade, transport and population movement.

“I wish to reassure all Kenyans that, as of 5 June 2026, Kenya has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease,” Duale said.

The Health CS said the government has activated the National Incident Management System and enhanced surveillance at all points of entry as part of efforts to prevent the disease from entering the country.

According to the ministry, more than 80,000 travellers have so far been screened for Ebola at various border points and entry stations across the country. Of these, 3,969 travellers were screened within the last 24 hours alone.

The ministry further disclosed that 56 samples collected from individuals flagged through surveillance systems, including travellers with recent travel history to the DRC and Uganda, have been tested for Ebola, with all results returning negative.

Duale said Kenya has designated four laboratories to conduct Ebola testing: the National Public Health Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and a mobile laboratory stationed at the Busia One-Stop Border Post.

The government has also identified 25 high-risk counties, placed 347 rapid response personnel on standby and trained more than 1,759 national and county healthcare workers on Ebola preparedness and response.

“The country continues to maintain and strengthen preparedness measures in response to the ongoing EVD outbreak in the region,” the CS stated, adding that simulation exercises are ongoing in high-risk counties to test the country's outbreak response capacity.

The ministry said enhanced risk-based screening, traveller assessment, monitoring and rapid response measures are being implemented in line with International Health Regulations (IHR) and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Public awareness campaigns have also been scaled up, targeting border communities, healthcare workers, transport operators and other vulnerable populations.

The ministry urged members of the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly after travelling to affected areas in Uganda or the DRC.

These symptoms include fever, chills, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and skin rash.

Kenyans have also been advised to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, refrain from handling sick or dead animals and rely only on official information issued by the Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), WHO and Africa CDC.

Duale cautioned the public against spreading unverified information that could trigger unnecessary panic, noting that the government continues to closely monitor developments in the region.

“The ministry remains committed to playing its role as a responsible regional and global partner in advancing health security,” he said.