President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to assess Kenya’s Ebola situation after the death of a patient confirmed to have been infected with an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease.
The directive was issued on Tuesday, October 6, following confirmation that the patient had died, with the government moving to strengthen measures aimed at preventing further transmission.
According to a statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the NSCC convened and recommended additional measures, including intensified surveillance, contact tracing and monitoring of people who may have come into contact with the deceased.
Eight family members of the patient have been placed under quarantine and are undergoing daily monitoring for symptoms. A further 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have also been quarantined and are being closely monitored.
Authorities have also expanded contact tracing to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the deceased when the patient entered Kenya. So far, 27 passengers who may have been exposed have been identified and contacted, with public health measures being implemented.
The deceased has since been safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols.
Kenya screens more than 650,000 travellers
The government said Kenya has maintained surveillance and rapid response systems since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026. As of October 6, authorities had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories.
The laboratories include the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and two mobile laboratories stationed at the Busia and Lwakhakha border points. Of the 267 samples tested, only one has returned positive, belonging to the deceased patient.
“No additional positive cases have been detected,” the government said.
Kenya has also trained 4,971 healthcare workers at national and sub-national levels in Ebola prevention, detection and management.
Several facilities have been designated to manage suspected and confirmed Ebola cases, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, National Police Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital, alongside county isolation centres.
The government said the existing capacity would be expanded depending on how the situation develops.
Government urges Kenyans to remain vigilant
State House assured Kenyans that the country was prepared to respond to the public health emergency and would continue strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity.
Kenyans have been urged to remain calm and maintain strict hand hygiene while avoiding contact with people displaying symptoms associated with Ebola. These 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 care from a recognised health facility.
The public has also been encouraged to report suspected exposures or cases to health authorities. The Ministry of Health is expected to issue further guidelines on safeguards and preventive measures as the government continues monitoring the situation.