Kenya has recorded no new Ebola cases for 18 consecutive days, with six of the nine confirmed patients recovering. ..reports Africa Daily News Desk
Kenya has reported significant progress in containing its Ebola outbreak, with the Ministry of Health confirming six recoveries and no new infections for 18 days.
In a press release issued on Friday, the ministry said the country had reached Day 32 since confirming its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6, 2026.
The sixth male patient has recovered and is due to be discharged after testing negative and meeting all the required medical criteria. Only one patient remains under treatment and continues to receive medical care and close monitoring.
The total number of confirmed cases remains at nine, all linked to a single known chain of transmission. The ministry said there had been no evidence of community transmission.
Meanwhile, 66 contacts of confirmed cases have completed their 21-day monitoring period and returned home. The remaining 52 contacts are expected to complete their quarantine by November 11.
Kenya prepares for 42-day countdown
The Ministry of Health said the outbreak response had focused on early detection, isolating and treating infected patients, contact tracing, protecting healthcare workers and ensuring safe and dignified burials.
According to the ministry, everyone who developed symptoms after the first confirmed case had already been placed under quarantine, helping prevent further transmission.
Kenya will officially declare the outbreak over only after completing a 42-day monitoring period following the discharge of the last patient from the treatment centre, provided no new infections are reported during that period.
The 42-day period represents twice the maximum incubation period of the virus. The ministry stressed that surveillance and preventive measures would remain in place until the outbreak was officially declared over.
Travel screening and surveillance to continue
Despite the progress, authorities warned that Ebola remained active in the wider region and that outbreaks in neighbouring countries could pose a risk to Kenya.
The country will continue screening travellers at all 26 points of entry. More than 760,000 travellers have been screened so far, while emergency operations centres and rapid response teams will remain on alert across every county.
Travellers have been advised to complete the electronic traveller surveillance form through the UHAI Chatbot before arrival, declare symptoms honestly and report any illness within 21 days of entering the country.
Healthcare workers have also been instructed to ask patients presenting with fever about their travel and contact history and maintain infection prevention and control measures.
The ministry urged the public to remain alert for symptoms, including fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding. People were advised to report suspected cases promptly, avoid contact with the bodily fluids of infected or deceased individuals, wash their hands regularly and avoid handling sick or dead wild animals.
No restrictions on travel or public gatherings
Kenya’s Ministry of Health said the country remained open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
The government also acknowledged the contribution of healthcare workers, community health promoters, county administrations, security agencies, religious leaders, the media and international partners, including the World Health Organisation, Africa CDC, UNICEF and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
The ministry called on the public to continue following preventive measures and avoid stigmatising recovered patients and people released from quarantine.
Authorities said efforts would continue in coordination with neighbouring countries and regional health organisations, stressing that the outbreak response would remain a priority until the wider region was safe.
The government said Kenya was approaching the final stages of its response but warned that continued vigilance and early reporting of suspected infections would be essential to keeping the country Ebola-free.
