Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against the deadly Bundibugyo virus disease and setting the stage for a possible declaration of being Ebola-free on December 23, 2026.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on Wednesday, November 11, that the final patient had been discharged after recovering from the infection.
The development also marks the end of quarantine monitoring for all 135 people identified as contacts of confirmed Ebola patients, with the last 11 contacts completing their monitoring period and returning home in good health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya will officially begin its mandatory 42-day countdown on Thursday, November 12.The 42-day period is twice the longest known incubation period of the virus.
If no new infections are reported during this period, Kenya will be declared Ebola-free on December 23, 2026. Regional Office for Africa +1Kenya recorded nine confirmed cases during the outbreak, including two deaths, while seven patients recovered.
The outbreak was traced to an imported case involving a Kenyan who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Uganda.
Eight secondary infections were subsequently recorded, involving four family members of the initial patient and four healthcare workers who had attended to him before Ebola was suspected.
The Ministry of Health established that all secondary cases were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms, helping prevent further spread into the wider community. No new infections have been recorded since October 19, 2026.
Despite the latest milestone, health authorities have cautioned against complacency, saying surveillance and emergency response measures will remain in place throughout the 42-day countdown.
WHO has commended the Kenyan government, healthcare workers and other response teams for their efforts in containing the outbreak through early detection, isolation, contact tracing and effective coordination.
The Ministry has also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, unexplained weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, particularly after travelling to an affected area, to seek medical attention immediately.
Members of the public can report suspected cases through the toll-free emergency number 719.
While Kenya moves closer to ending its Ebola outbreak, the disease remains a concern in the wider region, particularly in the DRC, where transmission continues.
The December 23 declaration will therefore depend on Kenya completing the full 42-day period without recording another confirmed infection.
