Editor's Review
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that Kenya has discharged its last patient receiving treatment for Ebola.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that Kenya has discharged its last patient receiving treatment for Ebola.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 11, Duale said the patient had recovered fully and was discharged after testing free of the virus.
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"On 6th November, the Director General for Health reported that the sixth patient had recovered and that only one patient remained under care. Today, the last patient under treatment for Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) in Kenya has been discharged, healthy and free of the virus," he said.
Duale also confirmed that the remaining 11 contacts who had been under quarantine had completed their monitoring period and were allowed to return to their families in good health.
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This meant that, for the first time since the outbreak began, Kenya had neither an Ebola patient receiving treatment nor any contacts remaining in quarantine.
"In addition, the last 11 contacts in quarantine return home to their families, having completed their monitoring in good health. For the first time since this outbreak began, Kenya has no patient under treatment and no contact in quarantine," he added.
Duale attributed the progress to cooperation between different levels of government, healthcare institutions and international development partners, saying the response had required a collective effort.
"This is not the victory of one person or one institution. It is a triumph of collaboration, cooperation and partnership: between the national and county governments; public and private hospitals; Government and the development partners, led by the World Health Organization, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IGAD, Government of the United States of America and Government of India; and, above all, between the Government and the people of Kenya," he further said.
Duale recognised healthcare workers who had participated in the response, including medical personnel, laboratory scientists, public health officers, surveillance teams, contact tracers and support staff.
"This outcome was earned. I wish to recognise, first and foremost, our health workers: the doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory scientists, public health officers, mental health specialists, surveillance and contact-tracing teams, burial teams, cleaners and support staff, who went to work every day in the face of real danger.
"Four of their colleagues were infected in the line of duty. Your courage carried this response, and the nation sincerely thanks you," he noted.
Duale also thanked the leadership and staff of Kenyatta National Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital for providing care to the affected patients, commending the cooperation between public and private healthcare facilities.
He further acknowledged the Ministry of Health leadership, including the Principal Secretaries, the Director General for Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, the Incident Management Team, KEMRI, laboratory teams, Port Health and the National Taskforce for coordinating the response.
The Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service and other agencies involved in the multi-agency operation were also recognised for their contribution.
Duale commended county governments and the Council of Governors, particularly Nairobi City County and counties along Kenya's borders, for responding to alerts, investigating suspected infections and ensuring samples were dispatched without delays.
Duale also recognised the families of affected persons, patients and contacts for their cooperation during the outbreak, noting that they had endured illness, separation, loss and stigma.
He extended appreciation to international partners, including the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, UNICEF, IGAD and the governments of the United States, India and Rwanda, among others, for supporting Kenya's response.
Despite the discharge of the last patient and the release of all contacts from quarantine, Duale said the country would remain under monitoring for 42 days before it could officially be declared free of the disease.
"Tomorrow, Thursday, 12th November 2026, marks Day 1 of the 42-day countdown to the end of this outbreak. Forty-two days is twice the longest incubation period of the virus. If no new case is recorded in that period, Kenya will be declared free of Ebola on or about 23rd December 2026," he stated.
At the same time, Duale has made it clear that Kenya will not be a quarantine destination for other countries.
He said no country would be allowed to force its citizens travelling through Kenya to be quarantined until they are cleared to fly home.
Duale added that the Ministry of Health will not issue any clearance to foreign passengers from countries that require proof that they are Ebola-free.
"Let me also make this clear: Kenya will not serve as a quarantine centre for any jurisdiction. Travellers from other countries will not be held in Kenya to meet another country's entry requirements.
"The Ministry of Health will not issue any certificate of quarantine or Ebola-free certification for travel purposes. Such certificates have no basis in the International Health Regulations," he said.
