Quarantine numbers climb to 66 as a suspected Wajir case adds to Ebola fears
Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, accompanied by other government officials, addresses journalists during a press briefing at Afya House in Nairobi on October 6, 2026, after Kenya confirmed its first case of the Ebola virus.
What you need to know:
- Health ministry confirms number is likely to rise before it levels off.
- Those in isolation are held at the National Police Service Isolation Centre.
Within days of Kenya confirming its first case of Ebola Virus Disease, the number of people under quarantine has risen to 66. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says the number is likely to rise before it levels off.
The count began at 57 contacts when the government announced the imported case from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has grown as more of the deceased's family members came forward, with Nairobi Hospital also tracing other staff, while the search for those linked to the Jambojet flight continued.
"By the end of today, the numbers will have increased, because even the Jambojet passengers who travelled with the deceased are still being assembled. So, the number will keep on increasing," Mr Duale told the Nation on Thursday.
"Contacts are sorted into three categories, including primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary group is the patient's family, which started at five people and has grown to ten, including the patient's mother and wife," he said.
He added: "At the Nairobi Hospital, where the man sought care, the list of contacts started at 21 and has also expanded. The extra names include cleaners and others who were in the building, as well as people linked to the airline he travelled on. Samples have been collected from a number of those being monitored, and results are awaited."
Those in isolation are held at the National Police Service Isolation Centre, where the Cabinet Secretary said security had been posted to keep anyone from slipping out.
"At the National Police Service Isolation Centre, where we have put those in isolation, we have security so that you can't sneak. If there were no security personnel some people would sneak out, You know it is very traumatising to be isolated. In DRC, people are even burning hospitals because they think Ebola is witchcraft. But the good thing is that if you seek early treatment, the survival rate is 48 per cent," said the Cabinet Secretary.
Mr Duale spoke at a high-level meeting with senior government officials, diplomats, international organisations, development partners and aviation leaders.
He said health workers' vigilance and the preparedness systems identified and diagnosed Kenya's first confirmed case. The case, he said, does not by itself show widespread transmission in the country.
In figures, the country has trained 4,971 health workers, and more than 652,000 travellers have been screened at 15 points of entry. Surveillance teams have investigated 263 alerts from 17 counties.
Five laboratories, including mobile units, are testing samples, with a turnaround of about six to 12 hours and over 268 samples have been tested, and one was positive.
“Isolation, treatment and quarantine facilities have been designated at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the National Police Service Hospital, Port Reitz Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital. Together they offer 241 beds. More facilities are being prepared in Busia County and other priority areas.” Duale said.
For protection, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has supplied 1,000 sets of personal protective equipment, and the Government of India has donated another 6,000. The Kenyan government has also mobilised its own supplies, and the US government, IGAD and Africa CDC are helping.
"As the response continues, I welcome coordinated partner support for field operations, logistics and commodity distribution, surge capacity, community engagement, patient referral and dedicated transport systems. I ask that this support be coordinated through our national response structures so that resources address identified needs promptly and effectively," said CS Duale.
Duale also pushed back against travel and trade restrictions.
"I want to emphasise that Kenya remains safe for travel, tourism, trade and investment. I therefore urge the international community to base its decisions on verified epidemiological information, science and established international public health principles,” Duale said
He said disproportionate restrictions on travel and trade can cause significant social and economic disruption without necessarily providing additional public health protection.
“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. We will remain transparent and continue sharing verified information with the public, neighbouring countries and international partners as the situation evolves," added the CS.
Dilapidated structures at Mombasa Ebola Isolation Centre at Port Reitz Hospital. It was established three months ago.
Meanwhile, Kenya has requested support from China to strengthen its Ebola preparedness, and Beijing has responded with a cash grant of $2 million (about Sh259 million), half of it for Ebola and half for drought relief.
A ceremony to hand over the grant was held at the National Treasury of Kenya. It was attended by the Ambassador of China to Kenya, Ms Guo Haiyan; National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kipto; and Public Health Principal Secretary Ms Mary Muthoni. The two sides signed a handover certificate for the USD 2 million grant.
“Per request of the Kenyan Government, the Chinese Government provides a $1 million cash grant to support the Kenyan Government in strengthening Ebola virus disease preparedness infrastructure in the identified very high-risk and high-risk counties. Another $1 million cash grant will be used to support the Kenyan government in responding to the impact of drought disasters,” said the embassy.
Ambassador Guo said China's aid reflects the friendly sentiments of the Chinese government and people toward the government and people of Kenya. She said China is willing to continue strengthening development cooperation with Kenya.
Follow ourWhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
