By the 254.ke Newsroom. Updated October 15, 2026.
Kenya has confirmed its second Ebola case. The Ministry of Health said on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, that a 39-year-old man, a close relative of the country’s first patient, tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease while already in quarantine. The ministry says the two cases are linked and that there is no evidence of spread in the wider community.
What do we know about Kenya’s second Ebola case?
- Patient: a 39-year-old man, a close relative of the first case.
- Symptoms: fever, fatigue and joint pains, starting on Tuesday, October 13.
- Where he was: in quarantine under daily monitoring when symptoms appeared. He was isolated, sampled and moved to a designated treatment centre, where he is receiving supportive care.
- Testing: the sample came back positive at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory, with matching results.
- Totals in Kenya: two confirmed cases and one death, the first patient’s.
Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the patient was already in quarantine when he developed symptoms, and the ministry said the response “is working as designed.” It also said early detection improves his chances of recovery.
How did the first patient’s contacts end up in quarantine?
The first case was a 40-year-old Kenyan man who had been living in Congo, according to the Associated Press. He travelled through Ebola-affected provinces and arrived in Uganda on October 1 before flying to Kenya. A relative collected him at the airport and drove him to hospital. He tested positive on October 5 and died the same day. Our earlier report on the first case has the announcement timeline.
Health officials have since identified 128 contacts of that first patient. As of October 13, the ministry said 113 had been traced and 108 were in quarantine in Kenya, with daily clinical checks and temperature monitoring. Five contacts are outside Kenya, and those countries’ health authorities have been notified under the International Health Regulations (2005). Teams are still tracing the remaining 15.
The second patient was among those in quarantine. Teams are now assessing anyone who had contact with him since his symptoms began, including quarantine staff and health workers.
Is there a risk to the public?
The ministry says no. Both cases are linked and there is no current evidence of community spread. The World Health Organization said earlier on Wednesday that there was no evidence of an ongoing outbreak in Kenya following the first imported case. WHO Kenya’s Head of Health Emergencies, Dr Martins Chibueze, said authorities were monitoring contacts and strengthening surveillance.
Kenya has not imposed restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings. Screening has tightened at border crossings and airports, as covered in our guide to Kenya’s Ebola rules.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Virus | Bundibugyo virus disease |
| Confirmed cases in Kenya | 2 |
| Deaths in Kenya | 1 (first patient) |
| Contacts of first case | 128 identified; 108 in quarantine; 5 abroad |
| Contact monitoring period | 21 days from last possible exposure |
| Public hotline | Toll-free 719 |
FAQ: Ebola in Kenya, October 2026
How does Ebola spread?
Through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick or deceased person, according to the Ministry of Health. It does not spread through the air.
Is there a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain?
Reports citing health officials say there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus. Patients receive supportive care, and the ministry says early detection improves recovery chances.
Where do I report a suspected case?
Call the toll-free line 719. The ministry also asks the public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid sharing unverified information.
Are there travel restrictions?
No. Kenya has imposed no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings as of October 15, 2026.
For wider background on the outbreak and guidance, see the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News. Earlier 254.ke coverage includes which counties are ready for Ebola.
Sources: Kenya Ministry of Health statement (October 14, 2026) as reported by Pulse Kenya; Associated Press via ABC News; ANEWZ.
