Kenya confirms second Ebola case

NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 14 – The country has confirmed a second case of Ebola, with the Ministry of Health saying quarantine and contact tracing measures helped detect the infection early and isolate the patient before further transmission could occur.

The second patient, a 39-year-old man and close family member of the first confirmed case, developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13 while in quarantine under daily medical monitoring.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth said the patient was immediately isolated and tested after developing symptoms.

“As soon as he developed fever, fatigue and joint pains, the quarantine team isolated him and took a specimen,” Dr Amoth said.

He added that samples tested positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KEMRI-CDC) laboratory, with matching results.

The patient has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre, where he is receiving supportive care from trained medical teams.

“Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early,” Dr Amoth said, adding that early supportive care improves the patient’s chances of recovery while prompt isolation limits the risk of transmission.

“This is the response working as designed,” he said.

Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases and one death. The ministry said both infections were linked and there was no evidence of transmission in the wider community.

128 contacts identified

Health authorities have identified 128 people who came into contact with the first patient, with 113 traced as of October 13.

Of those traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya and undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure.

The remaining five contacts are outside the country, and the relevant health authorities have been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Tracing of the remaining 15 contacts is continuing, while health teams are assessing people who may have interacted with the second patient since his symptoms began, including quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.

The ministry said any contact who develops symptoms would be isolated and tested immediately.

It added that infection prevention and control measures had been reinforced at quarantine and treatment facilities, with health workers provided with protective equipment.

“All health workers should apply strict infection prevention and control measures, whatever condition they are managing,” Dr Amoth said.

First case resulted in one death

The second infection comes as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak following the first confirmed case, which resulted in a death.

The first patient was confirmed to have Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola, before dying on October 5. The case triggered investigations and the identification of people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The disease can cause fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding.

The ministry emphasised that Ebola is not airborne but spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease.

“Ebola is not spread through the air; it spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with, or has died from, the disease,” Dr Amoth said.

The response is being coordinated through a single national command and is guided by the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026.

The World Health Organization has also been notified in line with international reporting requirements.

Despite the confirmed cases, the government said Kenya remained open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.

Public urged to remain vigilant

The ministry has urged Kenyans to remain calm while observing precautionary measures and seeking medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.

“Stay calm but remain vigilant,” Dr Amoth said.

He advised anyone experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek care promptly at the nearest health facility.

The ministry also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the affected family and rely on official government communication for updates.

“Please respect the privacy of the affected family, rely only on official Ministry of Health updates,” Dr Amoth said.