- Health CS Aden Duale addressed public concerns over movement and business operations following Kenya's third confirmed Ebola case
- The Ministry of Health confirmed a 65-year-old woman tested positive for Ebola at two separate laboratories after being placed in quarantine
- Authorities said 127 out of 130 identified contacts had been traced, exceeding the global benchmark required to break the chain of transmission
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has moved to reassure Kenyans that the country remains fully open following the confirmation of a third Ebola case, stating that no restrictions have been placed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Source: Twitter
Duale issued the clarification in a statement on Friday, October 16, 2026, as the Ministry of Health confirmed the new case involved a 65-year-old woman who is a close relative of the first two patients.
What is Kenya's position on movement and business?
Duale's statement addressed growing public anxiety about potential lockdowns or movement curbs.
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"The ministry wishes to reiterate that the country remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings," he assured.
Health authorities reported that 127 of the 130 identified contacts, representing 97.7%, have been traced and placed in quarantine. This figure exceeds the global benchmark of 85% considered necessary to break the chain of transmission. Efforts to locate the remaining three contacts are continuing.
The ministry added that new cases among quarantined contacts remain possible until their monitoring period ends, but that any such cases would be detected and treated swiftly given existing surveillance protocols.
On the supply side, the government has distributed personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control commodities, and public health screening equipment to all 28 high-risk counties and points of entry across the country.
It emphasised that the risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of community transmission detected so far.
Where is the third Ebola patient?
The woman, who had been in quarantine since October 6, 2026, developed symptoms including fever, sore throat and malaise before health workers isolated her and collected specimens for testing.
Results from both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI laboratory returned positive for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease. She has since been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit, where trained health workers are providing supportive care.
The ministry noted that because she was already in quarantine when symptoms appeared, her early diagnosis improves her chances of recovery and reduces the risk of further spread.
The second patient, confirmed in an earlier announcement, remains in stable condition and is responding well to treatment.
Source: TUKO.co.ke