President Ruto Intensifies Ebola Surveillance After Death of Imported Case

President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the death of a patient confirmed to have an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The President ordered the committee to recommend measures necessary to safeguard the country and prevent further transmission of the disease.

Following the NSCC meeting, the Government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, testing and other public health measures as authorities work to contain the risk of further infections.

Contact tracing expanded

Contact tracing is ongoing, with eight family members of the deceased placed under quarantine and undergoing daily monitoring for symptoms.

Twenty-one healthcare workers who attended to the patient have also been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored.

Authorities have also extended contact tracing to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered the country.

So far, 27 passengers who may have come into contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, with appropriate public health measures being implemented.

The deceased was safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.

No additional positive cases detected

The Government said surveillance and rapid response teams remain deployed across the country, building on Kenya’s preparedness and surveillance systems established since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.

Authorities said the country has the capacity to detect, isolate and manage suspected cases.

As of October 6, 2026, Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories.

The laboratories include the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NVRL), KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu, and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia border in Busia County and the Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County.

Of the 267 samples tested, only one returned a positive result—the sample belonging to the deceased patient.

The Government said no additional positive cases have been detected.

Thousands of health workers trained

Kenya has also stepped up preparedness among healthcare workers.

A total of 4,971 healthcare workers have been trained at national and subnational levels on Ebola prevention, detection and management.

The Government has also designated several facilities to manage Ebola cases.

These include:

• Kenyatta National Hospital – eight beds
• Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital – 50 beds
• National Police Hospital – 49 beds
• The Nairobi Hospital – 143 beds
• Several county-level isolation centres

Authorities said this capacity will be expanded, with additional facilities to be designated depending on how the situation develops.

Government urges Kenyans to remain vigilant

The Government has assured Kenyans that the country is prepared to respond to the public health emergency and will continue strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity as necessary.

Kenyans have been urged to remain calm and vigilant, observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola.

These symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.

Anyone experiencing such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case, has been advised to avoid close contact with others and immediately seek guidance and care from a recognised health facility.

The public has also been urged to promptly report anyone suspected of having been exposed to Ebola or displaying symptoms consistent with the disease.

The Ministry of Health is expected to issue further guidelines outlining additional safeguards and preventive measures for individuals and institutions.