Kenya confirms third ebola case, patient a primary contact to first and second cases

Kenya confirms third ebola case, patient a primary contact to first and second cases

Health Director-General Patrick Amoth said the 65-year-old patient is a primary contact of the first and second cases.

Kenya has confirmed a third case of Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease, with the Ministry of Health saying early detection and contact tracing are helping to limit the risk of further infections.

The latest patient is a 65-year-old woman who is a close relative of the first and second patients. She had been in quarantine since October 6, 2026, before developing a fever, sore throat and general weakness.

Health officials isolated her and collected samples for testing. Both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory confirmed that she had Ebola.

She has since been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit, where she is receiving supportive care from trained health workers.

Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the woman's early detection was an important step in managing the outbreak.

“Because she was already in quarantine, we were able to detect the disease early and begin treatment quickly. This improves her chances of recovery and helps reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other people,” Dr Amoth said.

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He added that keeping people who have been exposed to the virus in quarantine was helping to protect their families and the wider public.

The Ministry said 127 of the 130 people identified as contacts had been traced and placed in quarantine, representing 97.7 per cent of the total. Efforts are continuing to locate the remaining three people.

The ministry said the tracing rate was above the global benchmark of 85 per cent considered necessary to help break the chain of transmission.

Dr Amoth said the public should remain alert but avoid unnecessary fear, as there was currently no evidence of community transmission.

“The risk to the general public remains low because we have not found evidence of community transmission. We have traced and quarantined the vast majority of the identified contacts, and work is continuing to reach the remaining three,” he said.

The Ministry cautioned that more cases could still emerge among people already in quarantine before their monitoring period ends. However, it said these cases would be identified and managed promptly.

The second patient remains in a stable condition and is responding well to supportive care. The Ministry said it would continue to provide updates on the progress of all reported cases.

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, the Ministry has 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 supplies are intended to strengthen protection for health workers and improve safety at quarantine centres, health facilities and border entry points.

Dr Amoth said protecting frontline health workers remained a priority as the country continued its response.

“We are strengthening infection prevention and control measures to ensure that health workers have the equipment and supplies they need to protect themselves while caring for patients,” he said.

Kenya has also stepped up health screening at international airports, particularly for travellers arriving from 10 high-risk countries.

Travellers from these countries are required to complete a digital surveillance form before boarding their aircraft at the point of departure. They must then present the resulting QR code to port health officers on arrival.

By October 15, 2026, the Ministry had screened a cumulative total of 685,027 travellers since the outbreak began in May 2026.

Despite the latest case, the Ministry said Kenya remained open for business, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.

It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report possible symptoms without delay.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease. It does not spread through the air.

Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.

The Ministry has urged the public to rely on official information rather than rumours, and to call its toll-free health information line on 719 for advice and guidance.

“Early reporting saves lives. Anyone who develops symptoms should seek help at the nearest health facility immediately. Prompt reporting allows health workers to identify cases early, provide care and protect others,” Dr Amoth said.