More Ebola Patients Discharged as Gov’t Announces Major Outbreak Milestone

The Ministry of Health has announced a major milestone in the response to the Ebola outbreak, with five more patients recovering and being discharged from hospital after successfully completing treatment.

In an update on Tuesday, November 3, the Ministry said the five male patients, two from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and three from The Nairobi Hospital, had tested negative for the virus after completing treatment and remaining free of symptoms.

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"The Ministry of Health is pleased to share encouraging news in the national response to Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) disease outbreak," the statement read.

The five patients were cleared for discharge after laboratory tests confirmed that they had eliminated the virus from their systems.

Their discharge came alongside the release of 46 additional contacts who had completed their mandatory monitoring period and remained in good health.

The 46 were reunited with their families, adding to the 20 contacts who had been released from quarantine on October 25, 2026. 

The Ministry said the remaining 52 contacts were expected to leave quarantine by November 11 after completing the mandatory 21 days since their last exposure.

"Contacts who complete this quarantine period without developing any symptoms cannot transmit the disease and pose no risk to anyone," the statement added.

The Ministry further assured the public that discharged patients and released contacts would receive psychosocial support, urging families, employers and communities to welcome them without discrimination or stigma.

"Every patient and contact goes home only after meeting a strict public health criterion and will receive psychosocial support from our multi-disciplinary team of health experts. 

"We ask families, employers, neighbours and communities to welcome them home warmly, treat them with respect, dignity and compassion and shun stigma," the statement further read.

The latest developments came as Kenya maintained nine confirmed Ebola cases, including two deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 22.2 per cent.

According to the Ministry, no new infection had been recorded since October 19, 2026, with all confirmed cases traced to a single cluster linked to the initial imported case.

"All the confirmed cases belong to a single cluster linked to the first imported case, and there is no community transmission of the disease. 

"The remaining two (2) patients, one each at KNH and The Nairobi Hospital continue to receive treatment and will be released upon meeting the established discharge criteria," the statement noted.

Despite the progress, the Ministry cautioned that the outbreak had not yet been declared over, explaining that the country would only begin the official countdown towards the end of the outbreak after the final patient had recovered or been laid to rest.

"These milestones bring us closer to the end of the outbreak but are not the end itself. Once our final patient has recovered or been laid to rest with full dignity and care, Kenya will begin a 42-day countdown, and the outbreak will be declared over only if no new case is recorded in that period. Until then, heightened surveillance continues without pause," the statement added.

The Ministry also addressed recent travel restrictions announced by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in connection with travel into and outside the two countries.

It said Kenya had engaged the governments through established international health and diplomatic channels.

"Kenya will continue to be guided by science and by the International Health Regulations (2005), which require that health measures affecting international travel be proportionate and based on scientific evidence. 

"Through IHR channels, we have shared Kenya's data with these countries and requested the public health basis for these extreme measures, while the broader matter is handled through established diplomatic channels," the statement concluded.

This comes days after the government received praise for its response to the Ebola outbreak after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced financial support of approximately Ksh45.5 million to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to manage public health emergencies.

The support was announced after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya on Tuesday, October 27, to discuss measures Kenya had taken to contain the outbreak.

During the meeting, Kaseya commended the government’s leadership and response efforts, reaffirming the continental health agency’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s containment measures.

"Kaseya commended Kenya’s decisive leadership and swift response to the Ebola outbreak, and reaffirmed Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting the country’s containment efforts and safeguarding continental health security," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The financial assistance, estimated at US$350,000, will be directed towards strengthening Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and improving its ability to coordinate responses to public health threats.

The support is intended to enhance the country’s preparedness and coordination capacity as health authorities continue implementing measures to contain the Ebola outbreak.

"In solidarity with Kenya, Africa CDC has mobilised approximately US350,000 to strengthen Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and its capacity to coordinate public health emergencies," the statement further read.