Ebola: Attackers kill nurse, injure health worker responding to case in DRC

Amref Health Africa's chief executive, Dr Githinji Gitahi, has cautioned that weak border surveillance could leave Kenya vulnerable to an Ebola outbreak originating from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During the Africa Health Conference on October 26, 2026, Gitahi highlighted the challenges surrounding contact tracing in the DRC, citing a success rate of just 67 percent, which means 32 percent of potential contacts have gone unidentified.

This has contributed to 80 percent of Ebola fatalities occurring outside healthcare facilities, rather than under medical care.

Gitahi, however, expressed optimism about Kenya's contact-tracing efforts, noting that nearly all contacts from index cases have been identified and placed under monitoring. He emphasized that effective contact tracing is crucial for preventing the spread of infections within communities, allowing for timely medical intervention for suspected cases.

The chief obstacle, according to Gitahi, is the lack of robust border surveillance. He stressed that this is the primary gap in Kenya's preparedness against a potential Ebola outbreak.

On the other hand, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reassured the public that Kenya has successfully contained the Ebola threat. Duale cited the 42-day monitoring period mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to confirm Kenya's Ebola-free status, stating that this is a globally established timeline, not a domestic deadline set by the Kenyan government.

He emphasized that once the 42-day monitoring period concludes, Kenya will be declared Ebola-free, underscoring the international nature of the monitoring process.