Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola following the detection of the virus in a 39-year-old man who was already in quarantine after being identified as a close family contact of the first patient.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Ministry of Health said the patient developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13, prompting health officials to isolate him and collect samples for testing.
The samples tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centres for Disease Control (KEMRI-CDC) laboratory, confirming the infection.
The patient has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the case was detected early because the patient was under daily monitoring while in quarantine, allowing medical teams to respond as soon as symptoms appeared.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases of Ebola, including one death, according to the ministry.
Contact tracing underway
The ministry said the two cases are linked, adding that there was no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of the announcement.
Authorities had identified 128 contacts associated with the first case and traced 113 of them by October 13. Of those reached, 108 were in quarantine in Kenya and undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure.
The remaining five contacts were outside the country, with health authorities in the respective countries notified in accordance with International Health Regulations.
Contact tracing is also being conducted among people who interacted with the second patient after the onset of symptoms, including quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.
The ministry said anyone identified as a contact who develops symptoms will be isolated and tested immediately. Infection prevention and control measures have also been strengthened at quarantine and treatment facilities, with health workers provided with protective equipment.
### Public urged to remain vigilant
Dr Amoth urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant, warning against misinformation and advising the public to rely on official government communication.
He said Ebola is not transmitted through the air but through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected or deceased person.
People experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been advised to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.
The ministry also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the affected family and avoid spreading unverified information.
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 been notified.
Despite the confirmed cases, the government said Kenya remains open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Members of the public seeking further information have been advised to call the Ministry of Health's toll-free hotline, 719.
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