Ruto Orders Enhanced National Response as Kenya Confirms First Ebola Case

President William Ruto has ordered an enhanced national response to Ebola Virus Disease after Kenya confirmed an imported case involving a patient who later died.

Following the confirmation, the government intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and other public health measures to prevent further transmission.

“President William Ruto this afternoon ordered the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the death of a patient confirmed as an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease, and to recommend the necessary measures to safeguard the country,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said.

After the NSCC meeting, authorities stepped up efforts to identify and monitor people who may have come into contact with the deceased.

Ebola Contact Tracing Intensified

Health authorities have so far placed several groups under close monitoring, including:

• Authorities have placed eight family members of the deceased under quarantine and are monitoring their symptoms daily.
• Officials have also placed 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased under quarantine and are closely monitoring them.
• Contact tracers have identified and contacted 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased after travelling on the same flight into the country.

Meanwhile, health authorities safely buried the deceased in accordance with established public health protocols.

Across the country, surveillance and rapid response teams are on the ground, building on Kenya’s preparedness and surveillance systems maintained since the Ebola outbreak began in May 2026.

As of October 6, Kenya had screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories.

These include the National Virology Reference Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia border in Busia County and the Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County.

Of the 267 samples tested, only one returned a positive result, belonging to the deceased patient.

No additional positive cases had been detected.

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

Additionally, the government has trained 4,971 healthcare workers at national and sub-national levels in Ebola prevention, detection and management.

“Kenya is prepared to deal with this public health emergency. The Government will continue to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity as necessary,” the statement read.

Virus Treatment Capacity

To manage Ebola cases, the government has designated several facilities:

• Kenyatta National Hospital, with eight beds.
• Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, with 50 beds.
• National Police Hospital, with 49 beds.
• The Nairobi Hospital, with 143 beds, as well as a number of county isolation centres.

Authorities will expand this capacity by designating additional facilities as the situation evolves.

At the same time, the government urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant, observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people showing Ebola-related symptoms.

“Kenyans are urged to remain calm and vigilant, observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with persons exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease, including fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding,” the government said.

Also Read: Uganda Govt Spokesperson Responds to How Kenyan Ebola Patient Passed Through Uganda

Government Issues Ebola Advisory

Beyond the general precautions, anyone experiencing these symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case, should avoid close contact with others and immediately seek guidance and care from a recognized health facility.

In addition, the public should promptly report suspected exposure or symptoms to health authorities.

“The public is also encouraged to promptly report to health authorities any person suspected to have been exposed to Ebola Virus Disease or displaying symptoms consistent with the disease,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health will issue further guidelines on safeguards and preventive measures for individuals and institutions to minimize the risk of transmission.

Going forward, the government will continue to monitor the situation closely and strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, testing and treatment capacity as necessary.

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A photo of Ebola PPE. PHOTO/Talk Africa