Kenya reports no new Ebola cases as government strengthens outbreak response

KENYA—Kenya has reported no new Bundibugyo Ebola cases since 19 October 2026, as the Ministry of Health continues surveillance, contact tracing, and emergency preparedness measures to prevent further transmission.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delegation in Nairobi to review the country’s outbreak response and strengthen cooperation in protecting public health.

The delegation was led by UNICEF Country Representative Shaheen Nilofer and Associate Director for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Dr Douglas Noble.

Surveillance and response measures

During the meeting, Duale confirmed that all nine confirmed cases were linked to a single chain of transmission, with no evidence of community transmission.

He reported that 46 contacts had completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and were scheduled for release, while another 52 remained under observation.

The government has expanded surveillance across 26 designated points of entry and strengthened coordination with higher-risk counties.

Other measures include training more than 4,900 healthcare workers, establishing 349 rapid response teams on standby and designating five laboratories for testing, supported by mobile laboratory capacity.

These measures are intended to improve early case detection, accelerate laboratory confirmation and strengthen the capacity of health facilities to respond to suspected infections.

They also support cross-border surveillance and coordination, particularly in counties where population movement could increase the risk of disease transmission.

UNICEF support for emergency preparedness

The UNICEF delegation commended Kenya’s response, highlighting contact tracing, data transparency, coordination and accountability.

Duale acknowledged the agency’s contribution, which includes the delivery of more than 43,000 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) valued at US$462,994.06.

Additional PPE and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies are expected to bring UNICEF’s total supply contribution to US$716,625.26.

The agency has also deployed 25 public health personnel and supported targeted interventions in vulnerable border counties.

The collaboration reflects the importance of international partnerships in maintaining emergency health supplies, strengthening frontline capacity and supporting disease surveillance.

Reliable access to PPE, laboratory services and infection prevention and control resources remains essential for protecting healthcare workers and limiting transmission within health facilities.

Focus on sustained health system capacity

The discussions also addressed the need for continued investment in community health structures, infection prevention and control, protective equipment and other emergency response resources.

Duale called on development partners to maintain their support through clearly defined implementation timelines and regular joint progress reviews.

These mechanisms will help coordinate partner contributions, monitor implementation and identify gaps requiring additional resources.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining surveillance and ensuring access to essential health and social services through continued cooperation with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, Director of Public Health and Sanitation Dr Stephen Muleshe, and Acting Director of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Dr Kamene Kimenye.

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