Five patients undergoing treatment for the Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak in Kenya have been discharged from hospital after recovering and testing negative for the disease.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the five male patients had been cleared to leave hospital following successful treatment.
Two of the patients were discharged from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), while the other three were receiving treatment at The Nairobi Hospital.
The Ministry credited the recovery to the efforts of healthcare workers involved in managing the patients and containing the outbreak.
The development comes as Kenya records further progress in its efforts to contain the outbreak, with 46 additional contacts also released from quarantine after completing the mandatory monitoring period without developing symptoms.
The 46 join another 20 contacts who were released on October 25, bringing the total number of people cleared from monitoring to 66.
According to Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, the remaining 52 contacts are expected to complete their monitoring period and leave quarantine by November 11, provided they remain healthy.
The Ministry assured the public that individuals who complete the 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms cannot transmit the virus and do not pose a risk to others.
Despite the positive developments, the overall number of confirmed Ebola cases remains at nine, with two deaths reported, translating to a case fatality rate of 22.2 per cent.
The Ministry further noted that no new infection has been reported since October 19, with all confirmed cases linked to a single cluster associated with the first imported case.
It also maintained that there is no evidence of community transmission.
Two patients are still receiving treatment, with one admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital and another at The Nairobi Hospital.
The Ministry cautioned that while the discharge of patients and release of contacts mark important progress, the country has not yet reached the end of the outbreak.
It explained that the official 42-day countdown towards declaring the outbreak over will only begin after the last confirmed patient recovers and is discharged.
Kenya will only be declared free of the outbreak if no new case is detected throughout the 42-day period.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said surveillance and monitoring activities will continue across the country to ensure that any suspected infection is identified and addressed promptly.
On international travel, the Ministry acknowledged reports of precautionary measures introduced by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in response to the outbreak.
Dr Amoth said Kenya had shared relevant outbreak information through established International Health Regulations (IHR) channels and requested scientific justification for the measures taken.
He maintained that Kenya remains open for business, adding that there are currently no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings within the country.
The Ministry has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.
Anyone experiencing Ebola-like symptoms has been advised to seek medical evaluation without delay or report through the free 719 hotline. The public can also send alerts through the Ministry's WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719.
Dr Amoth reiterated that continued public cooperation, surveillance and adherence to health guidelines remain essential in preventing further infections as Kenya moves towards ending the outbreak.
