Kenya has confirmed its ninth case of Ebola virus disease, including one death, as health authorities intensify surveillance and contact tracing to contain the outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The latest case involves a 24-year-old man who tested positive on October 19, according to an update issued by Kenya’s Ministry of Health on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The country’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, disclosed the development as the government continued efforts to prevent further transmission of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
In its statement, the ministry said, “The Ministry of Health confirms one further case of the disease, bringing the total to nine (9) confirmed cases, including the first case, who died.”
The newly confirmed patient is a close relative of Kenya’s first recorded case and had reportedly been placed in quarantine before developing symptoms. He was subsequently isolated and received medical attention.
The ministry said all nine confirmed infections remained linked to a single cluster, with no evidence of transmission beyond the group at the time of the update.
“All nine cases belong to one cluster, and as today there is no evidence of transmission outside this group,” the ministry stated.
Health authorities disclosed that the eight surviving patients were stable and responding positively to treatment under medical supervision.
The government has also intensified contact tracing, identifying 135 contacts associated with the outbreak. Of that number, 134 had been traced and quarantined, representing 99.3 per cent coverage.
To strengthen the response, medical supplies have been distributed to 28 high-risk counties, while Kenya has received 500 doses of medicines to support the treatment of patients.
Despite the outbreak, the government said it had not imposed restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
How the outbreak began
Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on October 6, 2026, involving a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi.
The patient subsequently died in a Nairobi hospital, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and trace individuals who had contact with him.
Subsequent infections were recorded among people linked to the initial patient, including relatives and healthcare workers.
By October 18, the number of confirmed cases had increased, with a hospital attendant who had cared for the initial patient among those infected.
The latest case has pushed Kenya’s cumulative infections to nine, underscoring the challenges facing health officials as they work to prevent further spread.
