Kenya Confirms Second Ebola Case

Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease), with the patient being a 39-year-old man who is a close family member of the first confirmed case.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 14, the Ministry of Health said the man was already in quarantine and under daily monitoring when he developed symptoms on Tuesday, October 13.

"The Ministry of Health confirms a second case of Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) in Kenya. The patient, a 39-year-old man, is a close family member of the first case and was already in quarantine, under daily monitoring, when he fell ill on 13th October 2026. Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases and one death," the statement read.

The Ministry said the patient developed fever, fatigue and joint pains while in quarantine, prompting the response team to isolate him and collect a specimen for testing.

The sample tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory, with the two facilities returning matching results. 

According to the Ministry, the patient was subsequently transferred to a designated treatment centre, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care.

The Ministry said early detection had been made possible by the quarantine and monitoring measures already in place.

"Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early. Early supportive care improves his chances of recovery, and isolating him at the first symptom limits the chance of passing the virus to others. This is the response working as designed. The Ministry will share updates on his progress," the statement added.

The Ministry also maintained that the two confirmed infections were linked, adding that contact tracing and monitoring efforts had not established evidence of transmission within the wider community.

"Contact tracing and monitoring are working. Both cases are linked, and there is no evidence of spread in the wider community," the statement further read.

As part of the containment measures, the Ministry said health authorities have listed 128 contacts of the first case and had traced 113 of them as of October 13, 2026.

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 to the virus.

The remaining five contacts are outside Kenya, and health authorities in the respective countries have been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005). 

Further, the Ministry said tracing efforts are continuing for the 15 contacts who had not been reached by the reporting date.

The Ministry is also assessing people who may have come into contact with the second patient since his symptoms began, including quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.

Authorities have directed that anyone under monitoring who develops symptoms should be isolated and tested immediately as part of efforts to identify infections early and prevent further spread.

"Any contact who develops a symptom will be isolated and tested immediately. Infection prevention and control has been reinforced at all quarantine and treatment sites, and health workers have the protective equipment they need. 

"All health workers should apply strict infection prevention and control measures, whatever condition they are managing," the statement noted.

The Ministry urged members of the public to remain calm while observing recommended precautions, explaining that Ebola does not spread through the air.

It advised anyone experiencing symptoms associated with the infection to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.

"Our appeal to the public. Stay calm but remain vigilant. Ebola is not spread through the air; it spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with, or has died from, the disease. 

"Anyone with fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding should seek care promptly at the nearest health facility," the statement concluded.

This development comes days after the government received a $2 million (approximately Ksh260 million) grant from China to support drought mitigation and strengthen the country’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks. 

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo said he received the grant during a meeting with Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya.

According to the Embassy, the funding was provided following a request by the Kenyan Government.

Kiptoo said the grant formed part of China’s continued support for Kenya and the broader cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure development and socioeconomic initiatives.

"We appreciate the Government of China for its continued support and commitment to strengthening our partnership in infrastructure development and socioeconomic initiatives," he wrote.

According to Kiptoo, of the total funding, $1 million will be directed towards drought mitigation, while the other $1 million will support measures aimed at strengthening preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.