By GPC News Desk
Kenya has surpassed the global contact-tracing benchmark in its fight against Ebola, with 99 per cent of identified contacts traced, as four new infections push the country’s confirmed cases to seven.
The seven include the first patient who died.
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The Ministry of Health says it is intensifying surveillance and containment measures to prevent community transmission, with the remaining contacts being sought and counties asked to strengthen their preparedness for a possible increase in cases.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the government remained on high alert and was closely monitoring people in quarantine while tracing individuals who may have been exposed through relatives of the first patient.
In a status update issued on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Ministry confirmed that all four new patients had developed fever while in quarantine and were immediately isolated for testing.
Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
The new cases comprise a close male relative of the deceased and three health workers who attended to him in hospital between October 3 and 4.
The male relative had been in quarantine since October 6, while the three health workers — two men aged 29 and 35 and a 32-year-old woman — had been in quarantine since October 9.
All four are receiving supportive care at a designated treatment facility.
The Ministry said early detection was facilitated by the patients’ quarantine status, reducing the risk of further exposure to their families and the wider community.
According to the Ministry’s update, 128 of the 130 identified contacts, representing 98.5 per cent, had been traced and placed in quarantine.
Efforts were continuing to locate the two outstanding contacts.
The Ministry said its contact-tracing performance was above the global benchmark of 85 per cent, which it identified as the level required to help break the chain of transmission.
“The risk to the general public remains low as there is no evidence of community transmission of the disease,” the Ministry said.
It cautioned that more cases could emerge among quarantined contacts before the end of the mandatory 21-day monitoring period. Anyone developing symptoms during that period would be detected and treated promptly.
Muthoni said surveillance teams were also following up people who may have come into contact with relatives of the first patient as the government worked to prevent the outbreak from spreading beyond the known chain of infections.
The government has urged county administrations to establish quarantine facilities as a precautionary measure should additional capacity be required.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) has also been distributed to areas considered to face greater exposure risks, particularly counties bordering Kenya’s points of entry.
The Ministry has called on Kenyans to remain vigilant, observe basic hygiene and report suspected infections promptly.
Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected or deceased person, rather than through the air.
The public has been advised to wash hands regularly, avoid shaking hands or kissing suspected patients, and avoid unprotected sexual contact with infected individuals.
People experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been urged to seek medical attention immediately and disclose any possible exposure.
The Ministry said four family members of the deceased patient and health workers who cared for him remained under close monitoring.
People in quarantine were also receiving mental and psychosocial support from health teams.
Muthoni urged Kenyans not to panic, emphasising the importance of early reporting and prompt medical care in managing the outbreak.
“The country remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings,” the Ministry said.
Members of the public can report suspected cases or seek guidance through the Ministry of Health’s toll-free hotline, **719**, or its official communication channels.
