Kenya has confirmed four new cases of Ebola, raising the total number of confirmed infections to seven, including the first patient who died.
The Ministry of Health announced the new cases on Saturday, October 17, saying all four patients had developed fever before testing positive for the virus.
The new cases include a close male relative of the deceased patient and three health workers who attended to him while he was in hospital.
"This brings the total number of confirmed cases to seven (7), including the deceased first case," the Ministry said in a statement signed by Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth.
A photo collage of a test tube labelled ebola and Nairobi in the background, October 14, 2026.
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Kenyans.co.ke
According to the Ministry, the male relative had been in quarantine since October 6, while the three health workers, two men and one woman aged 29, 35 and 32, respectively, had been in quarantine since October 9.
The health workers attended to the first patient between October 3 and 4, before being placed under quarantine as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
The four patients tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory. They are currently receiving supportive care at designated treatment facilities.
Currently, Kenya uses a two-laboratory testing process to confirm Ebola infections, with samples tested at both facilities to verify positive results.
Health authorities said early detection was possible because all four patients were already in quarantine, helping limit the risk of further transmission to their families and the wider public.
"The Ministry wishes to reassure Kenyans that the risk to the general public remains low as there is no evidence of community transmission of the disease," Amoth said.
Meanwhile, Kenyans.co.ke has learnt that the second and third patients are stable and responding well to supportive treatment.
Despite the new cases, the government said Kenya remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected or deceased person, not through the air. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, unusual tiredness, muscle pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea should seek immediate medical attention or call the MoH toll-free line 719 for guidance.
Health CS Aden Duale observing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Rapid Response Team (RRT) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in Nairobi, June 10, 2026.
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MoH