By Omboki Monayo

Nairobi — Kenya’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a second case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease) in the country, as the broader regional outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to accelerate.

The patient, a 39-year-old man, is a close family member of the first confirmed case and was already in quarantine under daily monitoring when he developed symptoms on 13 October. He was immediately isolated, and laboratory testing at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI-CDC laboratory returned matching positive results. He is now receiving supportive care at a designated treatment centre.

“Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early,” the Ministry stated. “Early supportive care improves his chances of recovery, and isolating him at the first symptom limits the chance of passing the virus to others. This is the response working as designed.”

Kenya has now recorded two confirmed cases and one death. The Ministry confirmed that 128 contacts of the first case have been listed, with 113 traced as of 13 October. Of those, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya under 21-day clinical and temperature monitoring. Five contacts are outside Kenya, and health authorities in those countries have been notified under the International Health Regulations (2005). Tracing of the remaining 15 contacts continues.

The Ministry also confirmed that teams are assessing everyone who has been in contact with the second case since his symptoms began, including quarantine staff and health workers. Infection prevention and control measures have been reinforced at all quarantine and treatment sites.

Regional Situation: DRC Outbreak Surpasses 9,000 Cases

The Kenyan cases are directly linked to the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC, which has become the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record and the fastest-moving ever observed.

According to the latest figures, the DRC has reported 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths, with a crude case fatality rate of approximately 48.3%. The outbreak has spread across seven provinces and 65 health zones, with Ituri province remaining the epicentre, accounting for 73.8% of all confirmed cases. North Kivu province continues to record the highest provincial fatality rate, at 57.1%.

The World Health Organization has expressed particular concern that the majority of deaths are still occurring in communities rather than in treatment centres, and that many of those who die are not on known contact lists, indicating undetected chains of transmission. Contact tracing coverage has fluctuated below the 85% target, standing at 80.4% as of 4 October.

“Until every chain is found and broken, the epidemic will continue,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned in September.

Uganda: Outbreak Contained After Two Imported Cases

Uganda’s situation stands in contrast to the DRC. The country confirmed two cases in May 2026, both in individuals who had travelled from the DRC, including one death. The cases were reported in Kampala, raising concerns about urban transmission.

However, swift measures — including intense contact tracing and the postponement of the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations (which can attract up to 2 million people) — appear to have prevented further spread. As of the most recent WHO assessments, Uganda’s situation remains stable with no additional confirmed cases. This success underscores the critical importance of early detection and rapid isolation — the same principles now being applied in Kenya.

How Ebola Attacks the Body

The Bundibugyo virus enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes, typically via direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated surfaces. Once inside, the virus targets immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells, then spreads through the bloodstream to the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

As the virus replicates, it damages blood vessel walls, causing increased permeability and fluid leakage. Liver damage impairs the production of clotting factors, leading to haemorrhagic tendencies. In severe cases, this cascade results in hypovolemic shock and multi-organ failure. Ebola is not airborne; it spreads only through direct contact with bodily fluids, not through casual contact or breathing.

From “Dry” to “Wet”: The Progression of Symptoms

Symptoms appear between 2 and 21 days after exposure, with an average of 8 to 10 days. The illness typically begins with a “dry phase” of non-specific symptoms including fever, severe headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain that closely resemble malaria, typhoid, or influenza, making early clinical diagnosis difficult.

The disease then progresses to a “wet phase” characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, often leading to severe dehydration. A skin rash may appear. Bleeding, which is not present in all cases, can manifest as blood in vomit or stool, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums, and typically signals more severe disease.

Despite the second case, Kenya’s government reiterated that the country remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade, or public gatherings. The response is guided by the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026 and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026.

The Ministry urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, to seek care promptly at the nearest health facility if experiencing fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding, and to rely only on official Ministry of Health updates. The toll-free line 719 is available for information.