Kenya confirms 4 new Ebola cases

Kenya has reported four additional cases of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), raising the total confirmed Ebola cases to seven, including three healthcare workers. The new cases involve a male relative of the initial patient and three healthcare workers who treated him in the hospital before his death. The Ministry of Health stated that the latest male case had been in quarantine since October 6, 2026.

The healthcare workers, aged 29, 35, and 32, attended to the index case between October 3 and 4, 2026, and have been in quarantine since October 9, receiving supportive care at a designated facility. They tested positive for the virus after developing fever, the primary symptom. Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of Health, revealed that all four individuals initially experienced fever and were promptly isolated for testing.

The second and third patients are stable and responding well to supportive treatment. The Ministry assured the public that the risk to the general population remains low, as there is no evidence of community transmission. Out of 130 contacts identified, 128, or 98.5%, have been traced and placed in quarantine, surpassing the global contact-tracing benchmark of 85%.

Intensive efforts are underway to trace and quarantine the remaining two contacts. Dr. Amoth emphasized that early detection due to the quarantine period limited the spread to the patients' families and the broader community, improving their chances of survival. However, he cautioned that new cases among quarantined contacts are still possible until their 21-day monitoring period concludes.

He urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant, emphasizing that the government is taking all necessary measures to control the outbreak.