Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, with the Ministry of Health reporting that the patient is a 39-year-old man who is a close family member of the first confirmed case.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth said the man was already in quarantine and under daily monitoring when he developed symptoms on October 13.
The patient developed fever, fatigue and joint pains, prompting health officials to collect samples for testing.
The samples tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KEMRI-CDC) laboratory.
He has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care.
The Ministry said the case was detected early because the patient was already in quarantine, adding that prompt identification and isolation would help reduce the risk of further transmission.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed Ebola cases and one death, according to the Ministry of Health.
The two cases are linked, with health authorities reporting no evidence of transmission in the wider community.
As of October 13, the Ministry had identified 128 contacts associated with the first case, although only 113 had been traced.
Of those traced, 108 were in quarantine in Kenya and undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure.
The remaining five contacts were outside the country, and the relevant health authorities had been notified in line with international health regulations.
Contact tracing for the remaining 15 people was ongoing, while health officials were also assessing individuals who may have come into contact with the second patient since he developed symptoms.
Those being assessed include quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.
Dr Amoth said anyone who develops symptoms while under monitoring would be isolated and tested immediately.
He added that infection prevention and control measures had been reinforced at quarantine facilities and treatment centres, with healthcare workers provided with the necessary protective equipment.
The government said the response was being coordinated under the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026. The World Health Organization had also been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Despite the confirmed cases, the Ministry said Kenya remained open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
The Ministry urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant, noting that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease, rather than through the air.
Members of the public experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been advised to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.
The Ministry also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the affected family and rely on official government updates for accurate information.
Kenyans seeking further information have been advised to call the Ministry of Health's toll-free line on 719.
