Kenya declares Ebola a formidable epidemic disease, sets new rules

Kenya's Ministry of Health has formally declared the Bundibugyo Ebola virus a formidable epidemic disease. According to Capital FM Kenya, this declaration was made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and published on October 12, 2026, in a Special Issue of the Kenya Gazette. The designation establishes a legal framework for managing the public health threat, including interventions at designated points of entry.

The declaration introduces the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, to strengthen outbreak control. The Standard Kenya reports that these new rules implement measures regarding screening, isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, and safe burials. Capital FM Kenya notes that the rules include provisions for surveillance, the management of suspected cases, and the designation of a technical lead institution.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Standard Kenya, Capital FM Kenya — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.