President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to assess Kenya’s Ebola situation and recommend additional measures to prevent further transmission following the death of a patient confirmed to have an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease.
Following the NSCC meeting, the government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing and other public health measures across the country.
Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily monitoring for symptoms.
A further 21 healthcare workers who attended to the patient have also been quarantined and are being closely monitored.
Health authorities have also expanded contact tracing to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya.
So far, 27 passengers who may have come into contact with the patient have been identified and contacted, with appropriate public health measures being undertaken.
The deceased has since been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
The government says Kenya has maintained Ebola preparedness and surveillance systems since the outbreak began in May 2026, with rapid response teams deployed to detect, isolate and manage suspected cases.
As of October 6, Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories. Only one sample—the deceased patient’s—has returned positive, with no additional positive cases detected.
A total of 4,971 healthcare workers have also been trained in Ebola prevention, detection and management at national and subnational levels.
The government has designated several facilities to manage Ebola cases, including Kenyatta National Hospital, with eight beds; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, with 50 beds; National Police Hospital, with 49 beds; and The Nairobi Hospital, with 143 beds. Additional county isolation centres are also available, with the government saying capacity will be expanded if necessary.
Kenyans have been urged to remain calm and vigilant, maintain strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Anyone experiencing such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case, has been advised to avoid close contact with others and immediately seek care at a recognised health facility.
The government has also urged the public to promptly report suspected Ebola exposures or symptoms to health authorities.
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the government would continue monitoring the situation and strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity as necessary.
