Amoth said the eight patients undergoing treatment at designated isolation facilities were stable and responding well to care.

Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth/KNA

Kenya has reported no new cases of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) as the country’s Ebola response enters its 17th day, with the first contacts expected to leave quarantine as from Sunday, after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period.

Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, in a statement today, said all 14 samples collected from suspected cases across the country in the past 24 hours had tested negative for the virus.

The number of confirmed cases remains nine, including the index case, who died on October 5, with the Ministry of Health reporting no evidence of community transmission.

The patients comprise four family members and four health workers, who cared for the index case.

He noted that all 135 contacts associated with the first case had been traced, both within Kenya and internationally, with relevant health authorities in the countries concerned notified, in line with the International Health Regulations.

“The first contacts to complete 21 days of monitoring and remain in good health, will be released from quarantine from October 25 and reunited with their families." Dr Amoth said in the statement.

He added that the contacts had completed their monitoring period without developing the disease and could not transmit the infection to others.

Epidemiological investigations have established that all confirmed cases had close contact with the index case between October 3 and 5, before entering quarantine, and developed symptoms within the known Ebola incubation period of two to 21 days.

The findings indicate that infections were linked to exposure to the index case, with no infections traced to transmission within quarantine facilities, where infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened.

The contacts would continue to be monitored for 21 days from their last exposure, with the monitoring period reset for anyone exposed to a subsequently confirmed case.

Surveillance and testing have also continued across the country, with 709,093 travellers screened at points of entry since the response began, including 3,107 in the past 24 hours.

A total of 461 samples have been tested since the outbreak began in May 2026, according to the Ministry.

Despite the outbreak, the government has said that travel, trade and public gatherings remained unrestricted, urging Kenyans to continue following public health guidance and cooperate with response teams.

Members of the public experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, have also been advised to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility.

The public can also call the toll-free number 719 or contact the Ministry’s Jali WhatsApp chatbot on 0700 719 719 for assistance.

The Ministry has urged the public to support patients, contacts and health workers and avoid stigma as the country works to contain the outbreak.