Ministry of Health confirms Kenya's ninth Ebola case

Ministry of Health confirms Kenya's ninth Ebola case - Ministry of Health officials led by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during an Ebola press briefing at Afya House on October 6, 2026. (Photo: MoH)

The 24-year-old man, a close family member of the first patient who died, tested positive on October 19.

Kenya has confirmed a ninth case of Ebola, with the Ministry of Health (MoH) saying the latest patient was already in quarantine when he developed symptoms, as authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

The 24-year-old man, a close family member of the first patient who died, tested positive on October 19. According to Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, the patient was isolated at the first sign of illness and started treatment immediately after confirmation. All nine confirmed cases belong to one cluster, with the ministry reporting no evidence of transmission beyond the group.

“As of today there is no evidence of transmission outside this group,” Amoth said in a statement on Tuesday.

The eight surviving patients are stable and have improved under treatment, according to the ministry, which also reported receiving 500 doses of medicines to support their care.

Health teams have traced and quarantined 134 of the 135 people identified as contacts, representing 99.3 per cent of the list. According to the ministry, the number of contacts continues to rise as investigators identify people linked to newly confirmed cases.

The response has also involved distributing protective equipment, diagnostic kits, sample collection materials and thermometers to 12 very high-risk counties and 16 high-risk counties. A dedicated laboratory has also been established at the Kenyatta National Hospital Infectious Disease Unit to test patients under Ebola care while allowing the hospital’s main laboratory to continue serving other patients.

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Meanwhile, people who entered quarantine on October 6 and remain symptom-free are expected to complete their 21-day monitoring period and begin returning home from October 25. The ministry appealed to Kenyans to welcome them without stigma, saying those who complete the monitoring period without symptoms pose no risk of infection.

“Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone,” Amoth said.

Members of the public who develop symptoms such as fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been urged to seek medical attention immediately or call the toll-free line 719.