Kenya has confirmed one new case of Bundibugyo virus disease, bringing the total number of confirmed Ebola cases to nine, according to the Ministry of Health.
In an update issued on October 20, 2026, the ministry said the latest patient is a 24-year-old close family member of the index case. The first confirmed patient died, while the eight surviving patients are showing significant improvement under medical supervision.
The ministry said all confirmed cases remain linked to a single known cluster, with no evidence of transmission beyond the group so far.
Health authorities have also received 500 doses of treatment medication from partners as the country continues its response to the outbreak.
Contact tracing efforts remain ongoing, with 134 of the 135 identified contacts successfully traced and placed under quarantine, representing a 99.3 per cent tracing rate.
The ministry said contacts who entered quarantine on October 6 and remain symptom-free are expected to complete their mandatory 21-day monitoring period and begin returning home from October 25.
As part of efforts to strengthen preparedness, the government has distributed personal protective equipment, testing kits and thermometers to 12 very high-risk counties and 16 high-risk counties.
A dedicated testing laboratory has also been established at the Kenyatta National Hospital Infectious Disease Unit to support testing while reducing the risk of contamination and allowing routine hospital services to continue.
Despite the outbreak, the ministry said Kenya remains open to travel, trade and public gatherings, with no restrictions imposed.
Members of the public have been urged to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unexplained bleeding. Suspected cases can also be reported through the toll-free health line 719.
The ministry said surveillance, contact tracing and monitoring of affected patients would continue as health authorities work to contain the outbreak.
