Kenya has confirmed a third case of Ebola, with a 65-year-old woman testing positive for the Bundibugyo virus disease while in quarantine, the Ministry of Health has announced.
In a press release dated Friday, October 16, 2026, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the woman was a primary contact and close relative of the first and second patients reported in the outbreak.
The woman had been in quarantine since October 6 before developing symptoms, including fever, a sore throat and general malaise. Health officials subsequently isolated her and collected specimens for testing.
Her samples tested positive for Ebola at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory, prompting her transfer to the Infectious Disease Unit (IDU), where she is receiving supportive care from trained health workers.
The Ministry said early detection had enabled health officials to begin treatment promptly, improving her chances of recovery while limiting the risk of further transmission.
The second patient remains in stable condition and is responding well to supportive care, according to the statement.
The Ministry of Health has sought to reassure the public that the risk of further transmission remains low, noting that there is currently no evidence of community transmission of the disease.
According to the ministry, 127 of the 130 contacts identified in connection with the outbreak had been traced and placed in quarantine by October 16, representing 97.7 per cent of the total.
The ministry said the figure was above the global benchmark of 85 per cent considered necessary to help break the chain of transmission.
Efforts are ongoing to trace and quarantine the remaining three contacts.
Health officials cautioned that additional cases could still emerge among people already in quarantine before the end of their monitoring period. However, the ministry said such cases would be identified and managed promptly.
The government has also distributed personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control supplies, and public health screening equipment to all 28 high-risk counties and points of entry.
The additional supplies are intended to strengthen infection prevention measures at quarantine centres, health facilities and border entry points while protecting healthcare workers involved in the response.
Enhanced Screening at Airports
The Ministry of Health has stepped up screening measures for travellers arriving from 10 high-risk countries.
Travellers from the affected countries are required to complete a digital surveillance form before boarding their flights and present a corresponding QR code to port health officers upon arrival.
All aircraft arriving from the 10 countries are also being subjected to enhanced public health screening at Kenya's international airports.
The ministry reported that it had screened 685,027 people cumulatively by October 15, 2026, since the outbreak began in May.
Despite the confirmed cases, the government said Kenya remains open for business, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Public Urged to Report Symptoms
The Ministry of Health has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.
These include fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected or deceased person. The ministry clarified that the disease does not spread through the air.
Members of the public who suspect infection or have concerns about possible exposure have been advised to report to the nearest health facility without delay.
The ministry has provided a toll-free hotline, 719, for information and guidance on the outbreak.
“Early reporting saves lives,” the statement said, reiterating the importance of prompt detection, isolation and supportive care in containing the disease.
