Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient and released the final 11 contacts who had been under quarantine, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against the Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale announced that the country will begin a 42-day countdown towards an Ebola-free declaration on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Speaking during a media briefing at Afya House, Duale said Kenya could be declared free of the disease on or around December 23, 2026, provided no new infections are reported during the monitoring period.
The announcement comes 37 days after Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case on October 6, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Health, all 135 contacts linked to the initial case were successfully traced and monitored. The nine confirmed infections remained within a single transmission cluster, with no community transmission recorded.
Duale confirmed that the last patient to contract the disease had recovered and been discharged from hospital. The final 11 contacts also completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms.
“The last person who contracted Ebola virus disease in Kenya has been discharged healthy and free of the virus. In addition, the last 11 contacts in the quarantine have returned home having completed their monitoring in good health,” he said.
Despite the successful discharge of the last patient, the Ministry of Health said it would maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness across all 47 counties throughout the 42-day countdown.
Rapid Response Teams will remain on standby to investigate suspected infections, while health facilities and communities will continue conducting active surveillance.
The government will also maintain screening at points of entry, investigate suspected cases promptly and provide follow-up care and support to Ebola survivors.
As part of the containment measures, the Cabinet Secretary had declared Ebola a formidable epidemic disease. The subsequent gazettement of the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules established a legal framework to guide the country’s response.
Duale credited the National and County Governments, public and private health facilities, and development partners for their contribution to containing the outbreak.
He specifically recognised the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the governments of the United States and India.
He also thanked Kenyans for their cooperation and vigilance throughout the response.
The Health CS reassured the public that Kenya remains open for business, tourism, trade and international travel.
He said the government had not imposed restrictions on movement or public gatherings and urged countries and jurisdictions that had introduced travel and visa restrictions against Kenya to review and lift the measures.
Duale argued that Kenya’s transparent reporting and compliance with the International Health Regulations should not result in punitive travel restrictions.
He also clarified that Kenya would not act as a quarantine destination for other countries or hold travellers to meet entry requirements imposed by their intended destinations.
“Let me make it clear that Kenya will not serve as a quarantine centre for any jurisdiction. Travellers from another country will not be hosted in Kenya to meet another country’s entry requirement,” Duale stated.
He further explained that the Ministry of Health would not issue quarantine or Ebola-free certificates for travel purposes, saying such requirements have no basis under the International Health Regulations.
As the country enters the countdown period, Duale urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly after travelling to areas affected by the disease.
Members of the public were also encouraged to call the toll-free 719 line for assistance and information.
On accountability, the CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency in the management of resources mobilised to contain the outbreak.
He pledged that the government would publicly disclose support received from development partners and account for all resources and contributions directed towards the Ebola response.
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