President William Ruto has ordered an enhanced national response to Ebola after Kenya confirmed an imported case of the deadly virus that resulted in the death of a patient.
Ruto directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the death and recommend measures required to protect the country from further transmission.
Following the meeting, the government moved to intensify surveillance and contact tracing, with 48 people, eight family members and 21 healthcare workers, alongside 19 others under public health monitoring measures, linked to the case being followed up.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said contact tracing was ongoing and that those identified as having been exposed were being closely monitored.
“Contact tracing is ongoing. Eight family members of the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily symptom monitoring,” Mohamed said.
He added that 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased had also been placed under quarantine.
“Twenty-one healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored,” he said.
Authorities have also extended the contact-tracing exercise to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya.
“So far, 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, and the appropriate public health measures are being undertaken,” Mohamed said.
The deceased has since been buried safely in accordance with established public health protocols.
Only one positive Ebola test so far
The government moved to reassure the public that, despite the confirmed case, no additional positive cases have been detected.
As of October 6, Kenya had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories.
The samples were tested at the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NVRL), KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points.
“Of the 267 samples tested, only one has returned a positive result: that of the deceased patient. No additional positive cases have been detected,” Mohamed said.
The government said surveillance and rapid response teams had been deployed across the country as Kenya builds on systems established since the Ebola outbreak response began in May 2026.
“The country has the capacity to detect, isolate and manage suspected cases,” the statement said.
Nearly 5,000 health workers trained
The government also disclosed that 4,971 healthcare workers have been trained at national and sub-national levels on Ebola prevention, detection and management.
Authorities have further designated several facilities to manage suspected and confirmed Ebola cases.
They include Kenyatta National Hospital, which has eight beds; Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with 50 beds; National Police Hospital with 49 beds; and The Nairobi Hospital with 143 beds.
A number of county isolation centres have also been designated, with the government saying the capacity will be expanded as necessary.
“This capacity will be expanded, with additional facilities designated as the situation evolves,” Mohamed said.
Ruto government urges Kenyans to remain calm
The government has urged Kenyans not to panic but to remain vigilant as health authorities continue monitoring the situation.
“Kenya is prepared to deal with this public health emergency,” the statement said.
“The Government will continue to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity as necessary.”
Kenyans have been urged to maintain strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola.
The symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Anyone experiencing the 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 government has also called on the public to report anyone suspected of having been exposed to Ebola or displaying symptoms consistent with the disease.
“The Ministry of Health will issue further guidelines on the safeguards and preventive measures to be observed by individuals and institutions to minimise the risk of transmission,” Mohamed said.
The government said it would continue monitoring the situation and keep Kenyans informed of any further developments.
