US raises Kenya travel advisory to level 3 as Ebola cases hit 8

In an advisory renewed on October 19, 2026, the department cited health risks alongside crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest and road safety concerns.

Kenya on Sunday confirmed one new Ebola case, bringing the country’s total number of infections to eight.

Health Director General Patrick Amoth told Citizen TV that the Ministry of Health tested 38 people on Sunday, with one testing positive for the Bundibugyo strain.

The latest case involves a patient attendant.

Health authorities are continuing investigations, tracing contacts and assessing the risk of further transmission as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.

The US advisory urges travellers to take precautions against possible exposure to the virus, including avoiding contact with people displaying symptoms associated with Ebola or with their bodily fluids.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may occur at a later stage of the illness.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone who develops symptoms consistent with Ebola to immediately separate themselves from others, avoid travelling and contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for guidance.

Travellers seeking medical attention are advised to call the healthcare facility before arriving to allow health workers to prepare for their arrival and take precautions to protect staff and other patients.

Beyond the health concerns, the State Department has issued “Do Not Travel” warnings for several parts of Kenya, citing security threats including crime, kidnapping, terrorism and unrest.

In Nairobi, the department has advised American citizens against travelling to Eastleigh and Kibera because of the risk of crime and kidnapping.

The warning also covers Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Tana River counties, except Tsavo National Park, as well as parts of Kilifi County north of highway C103 and coastal areas north of Malindi.

The department cited the risk of kidnapping and terrorism in these areas.

West Pokot County and western Turkana County have also been designated no-travel areas because of crime concerns.

In addition, the State Department has warned against travel to parts of Marsabit and Turkana counties within 50 kilometres of the Ethiopian border, citing the risk of unrest.

The CDC recommends that travellers to Kenya observe the usual health precautions. The overall Level 3 advisory urges Americans to reconsider travel to the country but does not constitute a blanket travel ban.

The latest advisory comes as Kenyan health authorities continue efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak and assess the potential for further transmission.

Add a clearer public-health caveatTighten the repeated outbreak details