Kenya Red Cross Issues Directives to Kenyans After First Confirmed Ebola Case

The Kenya Red Cross Society has issued directives to Kenyans following the confirmation of the country’s first Ebola Virus Disease case, urging the public to remain vigilant, seek medical care promptly and avoid stigmatising affected families.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Kenya Red Cross said its teams had activated support for the national response under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.

“The Kenya Red Cross Society extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the patient who succumbed to Ebola Virus Disease, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health,” read part of the statement.

Kenya Red Cross Activates Ebola Response Teams

The organisation said its teams are supporting the response through safe and dignified burial services, community engagement and community-based surveillance.

Additionally, volunteers are working with health officials at points of entry to support screening and infection prevention measures.

Through community-based surveillance, the Kenya Red Cross said its volunteers are reporting alerts through established channels while teams continue sharing accurate information with communities.

Also Read: Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case,CS Duale Reveals

Kenyans Urged to Watch for Symptoms

Meanwhile, the organisation urged Kenyans to remain vigilant without causing unnecessary panic, advising the public to rely only on information from the Ministry of Health and other designated authorities.

“Anyone with symptoms such as sudden fever, weakness, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding, especially those with a recent history of travel to Ebola-affected areas or contact with a sick person, should seek care immediately at the nearest health facility,” the agency said.

Suspected Ebola cases can be reported through the Ministry of Health toll-free line 719 or the Kenya Red Cross toll-free line 1199.

Beyond reporting suspected cases, the Kenya Red Cross called on the public to show compassion towards affected families and communities and avoid stigmatising them during the response.

“KRCS remains committed to supporting the Government of Kenya throughout this response,” the agency added.

Prior to the confirmation, the Kenya Red Cross said it had been monitoring the regional Ebola situation and strengthening its preparedness alongside the Ministry of Health.

Also Read: Jambojet Issues Statement After Ebola Case on Entebbe-Nairobi Flight

Details on Imported Ebola Case

The confirmed case involved a Kenyan citizen who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years. The patient fell ill about a month earlier before travelling by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda.

From Kampala, he boarded Jambojet flight 8523 to Nairobi and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

He later sought treatment at Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated and subsequently transferred to an isolation facility.

The patient died on the night of Monday, October 5, 2026, while receiving supportive treatment.

Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers who attended to him.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same Jambojet flight as part of the ongoing contact-tracing exercise.

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A photo of Ebola PPE. PHOTO/Talk Africa