Health officials detected the infection during quarantine, while the ministry says it has found no evidence of wider community transmission.
Kenya has confirmed a second Ebola case after a man developed symptoms while under daily monitoring in quarantine. The Ministry of Health said early detection allowed teams to isolate him promptly and limit transmission risks.
The 39-year-old patient is a close family member of the first confirmed case. He developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13, prompting the quarantine team to isolate and test him.
Kenya has now recorded two confirmed infections and one death. However, the ministry said the cases were linked, with no evidence of transmission in the wider community.
Second Ebola case detected during daily monitoring
Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth outlined the response in a statement on Wednesday. He said tests at two laboratories returned matching positive results.
The National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory tested the samples. The patient is now receiving supportive care from trained medical teams at a designated treatment centre.
Amoth said quarantine enabled health workers to detect the illness early. He also stressed that early supportive care improves recovery chances, while prompt isolation reduces transmission risks.
Health teams continue tracing contacts
Authorities identified 128 contacts of the first patient and had traced 113 by October 13. Of those traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya.
Health teams are conducting daily clinical assessments and temperature checks during their quarantine. Monitoring runs for 21 days from each person’s last possible exposure.
Meanwhile, five contacts are outside Kenya. The ministry said it had notified the relevant health authorities under the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Teams are still tracing the remaining 15 contacts. They are also assessing anyone who may have interacted with the second patient after his symptoms began. This includes quarantine personnel and healthcare workers.
The ministry said teams would immediately isolate and test any contact who develops symptoms. It has also strengthened infection prevention measures at quarantine and treatment facilities and supplied protective equipment to health workers.
First patient died on October 5
The first patient had a confirmed diagnosis of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola, before dying on October 5. That case prompted investigations and efforts to identify people who may have encountered the virus.
Amoth explained that Ebola does not spread through the air. Instead, transmission occurs through direct contact with blood or other body fluids from someone sick with Ebola or who has died from it.
A single national command coordinates the response. The Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, guide the measures.
The ministry has also notified the World Health Organization under international reporting requirements. Despite the confirmed infections, the government said Kenya remains open, without restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
Ministry urges vigilance and prompt care
Health officials urged Kenyans to stay calm, take precautions and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms develop. Warning signs include fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
Amoth advised anyone experiencing these symptoms to visit the nearest health facility promptly. The ministry also asked the public to protect the affected family’s privacy and use official government updates.
