By Michael Gwarisa
Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, with health authorities saying the infection was detected early after the patient developed symptoms while already under quarantine following close contact with the country’s first confirmed case.
The Ministry of Health said the patient is a 39 year old man who is a close family member of the first Ebola case. He had been placed under quarantine and was being monitored daily when he developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Health officials immediately isolated the patient and collected a specimen for testing.
The sample tested positive for Ebola at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the KEMRI CDC laboratory, with the two laboratories producing matching results.
The patient has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre where trained health workers are providing supportive care.
The Ministry said the early detection was possible because the man was already under quarantine and being closely monitored, allowing health authorities to identify his illness as soon as symptoms appeared.
“Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early,” the Ministry said, adding that early supportive care and isolation from the first symptoms improve the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed Ebola cases and one death.
Health authorities said there is currently no evidence that the virus has spread into the wider community, with both confirmed cases linked.
The Ministry said it had identified 128 contacts linked to the first case. By October 13, authorities had traced 113 of these contacts.
Of those traced, 108 are currently in quarantine in Kenya and are undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks for 21 days from their last possible exposure.
Five other contacts are outside Kenya, with health authorities in the countries concerned notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Authorities are also tracing the remaining 15 contacts linked to the first case.
At the same time, health officials are investigating people who may have come into contact with the second patient since he began experiencing symptoms. This includes quarantine personnel and health workers who may have been exposed during his care.
The Ministry said any contact who develops symptoms will be isolated and tested immediately.
Infection prevention and control measures have also been strengthened at quarantine and treatment facilities, while health workers have been provided with the necessary protective equipment.
The response is being coordinated through a single national command structure and is guided by Kenya’s Public Health Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease Order, 2026, and the Public Health Ebola Disease Rules, 2026.
The World Health Organization has been notified of the latest development in line with international health regulations.
Despite the confirmation of a second case, the Kenyan government said there are currently no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
The Ministry has urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that Ebola does not spread through the air.
The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick or has died from the disease.
Members of the public who develop fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding have been urged to seek medical care promptly at the nearest health facility.
