Ebola in Kenya: Seven cases, one death and a race against time
A medic wears a protective mask at Nairobi Hospital where an Ebola patient was isolated immediately upon arrival and treated at the hospital's East Wing Isolation Facility, but later died, in Nairobi, on October 7, 2026.
The government says it has traced 99 per cent of people who came into contact with Kenya’s first Ebola patient and their relatives, as the number of confirmed cases rises to seven, including four among people already in quarantine.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said health officials had intensified surveillance and containment measures to prevent the disease from spreading into the wider community.
The Ministry of Health has also asked county governments to establish quarantine facilities in preparation for a possible increase in cases, while personal protective equipment (PPE) has been dispatched to high-risk areas, particularly counties bordering neighbouring countries and major points of entry.
Ms Muthoni said the government was strengthening its response but urged Kenyans to observe hygiene precautions, avoid contact with potentially infectious body fluids and report suspected cases promptly.
“Even as the ministry heightens its surveillance through screening and containment, it wants you to observe basic hygiene practices that involve washing hands, avoiding unprotected sex with infected, affected or suspected cases, avoid shaking hands, avoid kissing suspected patients, and largely being keen about one’s surrounding,” she said.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The country has so far recorded one death linked to the outbreak, with health officials continuing to monitor contacts and isolate those at risk.
The government has urged the public not to panic, saying early detection and appropriate medical care are critical to managing the disease. Kenyans have also been asked to report people displaying symptoms consistent with Ebola so that health teams can assess them.
The Ministry has enlisted religious institutions in the response, urging churches to help counter misinformation, encourage early reporting and support affected families.
Ms Muthoni said churches had an important role in sharing accurate information and ensuring worshippers followed public health guidance during services.
Religious leaders have been asked to educate their congregations on hand hygiene, avoiding contact with body fluids and staying away from sick or dead wild animals. They have also been urged to follow government guidance when organising gatherings.
Blood sample drawn from patients suspected to be infected with Ebola should be tested within a short time to avoid further transmission.
Meanwhile, Nairobi has designated Mama Margaret Uhuru Kenyatta Hospital in Kariobangi North as a quarantine facility as the county strengthens its preparedness.
Governor Johnson Sakaja said the county had intensified surveillance across all 17 sub-counties and was working with the national government and partners to protect residents.
“We have activated and strengthened our response measures across Nairobi. Our health teams are on the ground, surveillance has been intensified in all 17 sub-counties, and we are working closely with the national government and our partners to protect residents,” he said.
Mr Sakaja said infection prevention and control measures had also been reinforced across county health facilities, including training medical personnel in the proper use of protective equipment, safe patient handling and ambulance disinfection.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
