Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said Kenya remains safe for travel, tourism, trade, and investment despite confirmation of the country’s first imported Ebola virus disease case.

Duale assured diplomats and international organizations that the government had intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and testing following the confirmation of the case two days ago, stressing that the single imported case did not by itself indicate widespread transmission in the country.

“The confirmation of this imported case is a serious public health event, yet it does not, by itself, establish widespread transmission in the country,” said the CS, during a briefing to ambassadors and international organizations on Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response.

He said 57 contacts had so far been identified, with those already accounted for placed under appropriate monitoring and quarantine, while health teams continued efforts to trace the remaining contacts.

Duale said Kenya’s National Incident Management System had been active since May 2026, with national and county emergency coordination structures on high alert.

At the same time, enhanced facility and community surveillance is being undertaken by the National Rapid Response Team and County Rapid Response Teams in 27 counties, supported by the toll-free health line 719.

Duale said 4,971 health workers had been trained on Ebola preparedness and response, while screening continued at 15 points of entry.

More than 652,000 travelers have been screened cumulatively, while surveillance teams have investigated 263 alerts from 17 counties, he said.

The government has also designated isolation, treatment, and quarantine facilities at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, National Police Service Hospital, Port Reitz Hospital, and Nairobi Hospital, with a combined capacity of 241 beds.

Additional facilities are being operationalized in Busia County and other priority areas as required.

Duale said five designated laboratories, including mobile laboratory capacity, were supporting the response, with a turnaround time of between six and 12 hours.

“So far, 268 samples have been tested, with one confirmed positive case. The confirmed patient, a Kenyan citizen, died and was accorded a safe and dignified burial in line with public health protocols,” the CS said.

Duale said protecting frontline health workers remained a priority, with the government mobilizing infection prevention commodities and personal protective equipment.

The World Health Organization has provided 1,000 sets of PPE, while the Government of India donated 6,000 sets.

Duale called for coordinated support from development and international partners in field operations, logistics, commodity distribution, surge capacity, community engagement, patient referral, and dedicated transport systems.

However, he urged the international community to base decisions on verified epidemiological information and established public health principles, warning that disproportionate travel and trade restrictions could cause significant social and economic disruption.

“I encourage airlines to continue operating, tourists to continue visiting Kenya, businesses to maintain their operations, and our regional and international partners to sustain normal trade and investment,” he said.

Duale said the government would continue sharing verified information with the public, neighboring countries, and international partners as the situation evolves.

“Our approach is clear: detect early, isolate safely, test rapidly, trace comprehensively, and respond decisively,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), and Korir Sing’Oei (Foreign Affairs) and Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth.

Others were World Health Organization Country Director Dr. Neema Kimambo, Kenya Airways Acting Group Managing Director and CEO Habil Waswani, Jambojet Board of Directors Chairperson Ayisi Makatiani, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya Dr. Garry Conille, heads of various missions in Kenya, the Diplomatic Corps, development partners, and other distinguished leaders.

By Wangari Ndirangu