The suspected case of Ebola disease reported in Kinangop Sub-County, Nyandarua County, has tested negative for the Bundibugyo virus disease, according to the county government.
In a statement issued on October 24, 2026, Nyandarua County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Juliana Tisnanga said laboratory tests conducted at the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) in Nairobi had ruled out the disease.
The patient, an adult male who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease is ongoing, was isolated as a precaution after presenting symptoms that raised concerns due to his travel history.
The county government said the patient was receiving treatment for other illnesses and was in a stable and improving condition.
Following the initial alert on October 23, the county activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a rapid response team in collaboration with the national government's Ministry of Health.
Health workers also strengthened infection prevention and control measures at the facility, while individuals who had come into contact with the patient were identified and monitored.
However, following confirmation that the patient had tested negative, the precautionary measures were stood down in accordance with national guidelines, and the contacts were released from follow-up.
Tisnanga commended health workers for identifying the warning signs early and initiating the necessary response, adding that the incident demonstrated the importance of disease surveillance and rapid intervention.
She also thanked the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Laboratories, health partners and the patient's family for their cooperation.
Despite the negative results, the county government said it would maintain heightened surveillance because the Ebola outbreak in the DRC remains active and Kenya has reported cases in Nairobi.
The county said it would continue strengthening screening and surveillance in public and private health facilities, training health workers on early detection and infection prevention, and ensuring isolation and quarantine facilities remain ready.
Community Health Promoters will also continue providing information to residents across the county.
Residents have been advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of returning from an Ebola-affected area. They should also disclose their travel history to healthcare workers.
The county further urged the public to avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of seriously ill people, maintain proper hand hygiene and report suspected cases to the nearest health facility or Community Health Promoter.
Members of the public can also report suspected cases through the county's Ebola hotline on 0115071711.
The county government appealed to the public and media to respect the privacy of the patient and his family and avoid speculation, urging residents to rely on official communication from the county and the Ministry of Health.
“There is no cause for alarm. We will continue to keep the public informed,” the statement said.
