Kenya has reported no new cases of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, five days after confirming its first imported case, with 122 contacts identified and verified as the government intensifies efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Sunday that 108 contacts, representing 88.5 per cent of those listed, were in quarantine and undergoing daily monitoring, with none having developed symptoms so far.
The index patient, a Kenyan national who travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda, died on October 5 and was accorded a safe and dignified burial the following day in accordance with established public health protocols.
Duale conveyed the government’s condolences to the deceased’s family, saying a coordinated national response was underway to prevent further transmission.
“Of 293 samples tested from 289 alerts, only the confirmed case has been positive,” the Cabinet Secretary said, adding that contact tracing remained ongoing, including with the support of international partners.
The government has also stepped up screening at the country’s entry points, with 667,675 travellers screened at 26 points of entry since the exercise began. Of these, 2,345 were screened in the 24 hours preceding the latest update.
The Ministry of Health said it notified the World Health Organization within 24 hours of confirmation of the case, in line with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
The National Taskforce, National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and National Incident Management System have been activated to coordinate the response, while rapid response teams remain on 24-hour standby.
Five designated laboratories are testing samples, including two mobile facilities stationed at the Lwakhaha and Busia border points to strengthen detection and response capacity.
According to Duale, samples can be referred from any county, with confirmed results available within six to 12 hours.
The country has also designated five hospitals in Nairobi, Eldoret and Mombasa to manage suspected and confirmed cases, with up to 241 isolation beds available. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital accounts for up to 50 intensive care beds within the national response capacity.
Nearly 5,000 health workers trained
The government has trained 4,917 health workers in Ebola management and placed a surge team of 343 trained responders on standby.
The team includes 102 personnel who participated in the response to the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, bringing experience in managing the disease and coordinating emergency interventions.
The Ministry said the additional personnel would support health facilities and response teams should the need arise.
No travel restrictions or lockdown
Despite the confirmed case, Kenya remains open to international travel, trade and business, with no lockdown or restrictions on public gatherings imposed.
Duale said airports, seaports and land border crossings continued to operate normally, subject to enhanced health screening.
The government said its response remained aligned with World Health Organization advice and pledged to keep the international community informed through regular and transparent updates.
Public urged to remain vigilant
The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain calm while observing public health guidance and avoiding the spread of unverified information.
Ebola is not transmitted through the air. It spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or the body of someone who has died from the disease.
People experiencing symptoms or concerned about possible exposure have been advised to seek medical attention promptly at the nearest health facility.
The Ministry has directed members of the public seeking information or guidance to call its toll-free hotline, 719, or consult its official website and social media platforms.
The government says active surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and enhanced screening at points of entry will continue as Kenya works to prevent further transmission of Bundibugyo virus disease.
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