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By Mercy Kachenge
Nairobi- Kenya has confirmed its third case of Bundibugyo Ebola, with health authorities saying the infection was detected while the patient was already in quarantine, which they say shows contact tracing and daily monitoring are working.
The case, confirmed on October 16, involves a 65-year-old woman who is a close relative of Kenya’s first Ebola patient and had been in quarantine since October 6.
Kenya’s total now stands at three confirmed cases and one death. The second new patient, a 39-year-old man and close relative of the first case, was confirmed on October 14 after developing symptoms in quarantine. Both are receiving supportive care in designated treatment units.
The first case was a Kenyan man who travelled home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and died on the night of October 5. It was the first Ebola case ever recorded in Kenya. Health teams identified 130 people who had contact with him, including relatives, friends, health workers and fellow travellers.
By October 16, 127 of the 130 contacts were in quarantine and undergoing daily temperature and symptom checks for 21 days, the longest period it can take for symptoms to appear after exposure. The two new patients fell ill within this window, allowing health workers to isolate them quickly.
“Being quarantined means the family and the general public are better protected from exposure to the virus, hence reducing chances of community transmission,” said Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Kenya.
No community transmission
The Ministry of Health says both new infections are linked to the first imported case and there is no evidence of community transmission. Officials caution, however, that more cases among quarantined contacts remain possible until the monitoring period ends.
“This is the response working as designed,” said Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth.
Ebola does not spread through the air. It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from the disease, or through contaminated objects. Infected people cannot transmit the virus before developing symptoms, which makes early isolation critical.
Symptoms and treatment
Early symptoms of Bundibugyo Ebola can resemble malaria and other common illnesses. They include fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, headache and sore throat. Later symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea and impaired kidney and liver function. Bleeding is not the most common sign and, when it occurs, usually appears later.
There is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola, although trials are under way in the DRC. Patients receive supportive care, including fluids and symptom treatment, which improves survival chances. The second patient is reported to be stable and responding well.
WHO support
WHO is supporting the ministry with coordination, surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, patient care, infection prevention, border screening and risk communication. It has provided supplies worth about US$70,000, including protective equipment, test kits and infrared thermometers.
Kenya began preparing in May 2026, when the outbreak was declared in the DRC. Nearly 5,000 health workers have since been trained with WHO support to recognise the disease and care for patients safely.
WHO advises against closing borders or restricting trade. The ministry has confirmed that Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
“The two new cases have been detected early because they were already in quarantine and were being checked every day,” Dr Kimambo said. “WHO commends the Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute and the national and county health teams for their swift action.”
