President William Ruto has ordered an enhanced national response to Ebola after Kenya confirmed the death of a patient who tested positive for the virus in what authorities described as an imported case.
The government said 29 people — eight members of the deceased’s family and 21 healthcare workers who attended to the patient — have been placed under quarantine and are being monitored daily for symptoms.
Contact tracing has also been extended to passengers who travelled on the same flight into Kenya with the deceased.
State House said 27 passengers who may have come into contact with the patient had so far been identified and contacted, with public health measures being implemented.
Following confirmation of the case, Ruto directed the National Security Council Committee to meet and assess the situation before recommending measures to prevent further spread of Ebola Virus Disease.
“The Government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing and other public health measures to prevent further transmission of the disease,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement.
Authorities said the deceased had been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
The government maintained that no additional cases had been detected despite increased surveillance and testing.
As of October 6, 2026, Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples at five laboratories across the country.
Of the 267 samples tested, only that of the deceased patient returned a positive Ebola result.
Testing is being conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia border in Busia County and Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County.
“The country has the capacity to detect, isolate and manage suspected cases,” Mohamed said.
The government said surveillance and rapid response teams were already on the ground, building on preparedness measures put in place since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.
Nearly 5,000 healthcare workers have also been trained in Ebola prevention, detection and management at national and county levels.
Several hospitals have been designated to handle Ebola cases.
They include Kenyatta National Hospital, which has eight designated beds; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with 50; National Police Hospital with 49; and The Nairobi Hospital with 143 beds.
County isolation centres have also been identified, with the government saying additional facilities could be designated depending on how the situation develops.
“Kenya is prepared to deal with this public health emergency,” the statement said.
The government urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant and to observe strict hand hygiene while avoiding close contact with people displaying symptoms associated with Ebola.
Common symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
People experiencing such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed Ebola case, have been advised to avoid close contact with others and immediately seek medical assistance at a recognized health facility.
Members of the public have also been asked to report suspected exposures or possible cases to health authorities.
The Ministry of Health is expected to issue additional guidelines outlining safeguards for individuals and institutions as authorities intensify efforts to prevent transmission.
“The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely, take all necessary measures to protect the public, and keep the country informed of any further developments,” Mohamed said.
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