Kenya Confirms Second Ebola Case As Contact Tracing Intensifies

By Our Correspondent

Kenya has confirmed a second Ebola case after a 39-year-old man, who was already in quarantine as a close contact of the first patient, developed symptoms and tested positive, prompting intensified contact tracing and monitoring.

The Ministry of Health said the man developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13, 2026, prompting the quarantine team to isolate him and collect a specimen for testing.

His sample tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory, with matching results. He has since been transferred to a designated treatment center, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care.

Director General Dr Patrick Amoth said the case was detected early because the patient was already under quarantine and daily monitoring, allowing health workers to respond when symptoms emerged.

“Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early,” said Dr Amoth, in a statement to newsrooms.

Kenya has now recorded two confirmed Ebola cases and one death, according to the ministry, which said the two cases were linked.

Health authorities are continuing to trace people who may have been exposed to the virus as part of efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.

The ministry said it had listed 128 contacts linked to the first case and had traced 113 of them by October 13. Of those traced, 108 were in quarantine in Kenya, where they were undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks.

The monitoring period runs for 21 days from each contact’s last possible exposure to the virus, while five contacts outside Kenya are being followed up by health authorities in their respective countries.

“The other five are outside Kenya, and health authorities in those countries have been informed, as required under the International Health Regulations (2005),” he revealed said.

Tracing of the remaining 15 contacts linked to the first patient was continuing. Health teams were also assessing everyone who had been in contact with the second patient since his symptoms began, including quarantine staff and health workers.

The ministry said the investigation had not established evidence of wider community transmission.

“Both cases are linked, and there is no evidence of spread in the wider community,” he added.

The ministry said the second patient was receiving care at a designated treatment center, while infection prevention and control measures had been reinforced at quarantine and treatment facilities.

Health workers have been provided with the protective equipment required to manage cases, and authorities have directed teams to isolate and test anyone under monitoring who develops symptoms.

The ministry said the response was designed to identify potential infections promptly and reduce the risk of further transmission.

“Any contact who develops a symptom will be isolated and tested immediately,” Dr Amoth said.

The response is being coordinated 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 accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly if they may have been exposed to an infected person.

The ministry said the disease spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, rather than through the air.

“Anyone with fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek care promptly at the nearest health facility,” the ministry said.

It also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information and respect the privacy of the affected family.

The ministry advised members of the public to rely on official government updates and provided toll-free line 719 for further information.

Despite the confirmed cases, the ministry said Kenya remained open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.

The government said it would continue providing updates on the second patient’s progress as contact tracing and monitoring efforts proceed.

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