- In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Ministry said the second patient is a 39-year-old man and a close family member of the first case. He had been placed under quarantine and was being monitored daily before developing symptoms on October 13
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a second case of Ebola in Kenya, with 108 contacts of the first patient in quarantine as authorities intensify surveillance and contact tracing to contain the outbreak.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Ministry said the second patient is a 39-year-old man and a close family member of the first case. He had been placed under quarantine and was being monitored daily before developing symptoms on October 13.
The patient developed fever, fatigue and joint pains, prompting health teams to isolate him and collect samples for testing. The samples tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KEMRI-CDC) laboratory.
He has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre, where he is receiving supportive care.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases of Ebola, also known as Bundibugyo Virus Disease, and one death.
The Ministry said the early detection of the second case demonstrated the importance of quarantine and daily monitoring in identifying infections and preventing further transmission.
Both confirmed cases are linked, and authorities said there was no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of the statement.
The Ministry has identified 128 contacts associated with the first case and traced 113 of them as of October 13.
Of those traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya, where they are undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure.
The remaining five contacts are outside the country, and the relevant health authorities have been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations.
Contact tracing for the other 15 people is ongoing, while health teams are assessing individuals who may have come into contact with the second patient since he developed symptoms, including quarantine staff and healthcare workers.
The Ministry said anyone under monitoring who develops symptoms will be isolated and tested immediately.
It added that infection prevention and control measures had been strengthened at quarantine and treatment facilities, with healthcare workers provided with the necessary protective equipment.
The response is being coordinated through a single national command under the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026.
The World Health Organization has also been notified in line with international health regulations.
Despite the confirmed cases, the Ministry said Kenya remained open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
The Ministry urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms associated with the disease, including fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding.
It clarified that Ebola does not spread through the air but through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease.
Members of the public were also urged to respect the privacy of the affected family, rely on official Ministry of Health updates and use the toll-free number 719 for information.