Breaking: Kenya confirms third case of Ebola
Kenya confirms third case of Ebola
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.
Kenya has confirmed its third Ebola case, involving a 65-year-old woman who was already in quarantine as a primary contact.
The Ministry of Health said in a press release from the Office of the Director-General for Health, dated October 16, 2026, that the patient is a close relative of the first and second cases. She has been in quarantine since October 6.
After developing a fever, a sore throat and malaise, she was isolated and a specimen was collected for testing. She tested positive for Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease) at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI laboratory. She has since been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit, where she is receiving supportive care from trained health workers.
The Ministry said that because she was already in quarantine, the patient was diagnosed early, improving her chances of recovery and limiting the risk of further spread of the disease.
“Being in quarantine also protected the rest of her family and the general public from exposure, reducing the chances of community transmission,” Dr Amoth said.
He said the second patient remained in stable condition and was responding well to supportive care. The Ministry said it would share updates on the progress of all reported cases.
“The Ministry wishes to reassure the public that the risk remains low, as there is no evidence of community transmission of the disease,” he said.
Also Read: What another Ebola case means for Kenya
Of the 130 contacts listed, 127, or 97.7 per cent, have been traced and are in quarantine. The Ministry said this was above the global benchmark of 85 per cent required to break the chain of transmission. Efforts are ongoing to trace and quarantine the three remaining contacts.
The Ministry added that cases among quarantined contacts were possible until their monitoring ended. If they occurred, it said, they would be detected and treated just as quickly.
“We have distributed personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control commodities, and public health screening equipment to all 28 high-risk counties and points of entry. The supplies will strengthen infection prevention and control at the quarantine centre, health facilities and points of entry, so that every health worker is fully protected,” Dr Amoth said.
Dr Patrick Amoth, Health Director-General.
Travellers from the 10 high-risk countries will be required to fill in a digital surveillance form before boarding their aircraft at their point of departure and show the QR code to port health officers on arrival. All aircraft arriving from these countries are undergoing enhanced public health screening at Kenya’s international airports.
Cumulatively, by October 15, 2026, the Ministry had screened 685,027 people since the outbreak began in May 2026.
The Ministry reiterated that the country remained open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
“Stay vigilant. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick or deceased person, not through the air. Anyone who has a fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, or knows someone who does, should report at once to the nearest health facility,” he said.
For information and guidance, the public can call the Ministry of Health toll-free line 719 or visit the Ministry’s official website and social media platforms for accurate updates.
“Early reporting saves lives,” Dr Amoth said.
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