Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola virus disease, with the Ministry of Health reporting that the 39-year-old patient was already in quarantine and under daily monitoring before developing symptoms.

In a press release dated October 14, 2026, the Ministry said the man was a close family member of the first confirmed case and developed fever, fatigue and joint pains on October 13.

Kenya has now recorded two confirmed Ebola cases and one death, according to the ministry.

The Director General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, said the latest case demonstrated the importance of quarantine, daily monitoring and early isolation in containing the disease.

The ministry said the patient was immediately isolated and tested after developing symptoms, with samples returning positive results at two laboratories.

The tests were conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) CDC laboratory, with both facilities recording matching results.

The patient has since been transferred to a designated treatment centre, where trained medical teams are providing supportive care.

Patient Detected Early After Developing Ebola Symptoms

According to the Ministry of Health, the second case was identified through the monitoring system established following confirmation of the first infection.

The patient developed symptoms while already under quarantine, allowing health workers to respond without waiting for him to seek medical attention elsewhere.

The ministry said: “Because he was already in quarantine, his illness was detected early.”

It added that early supportive care improves the patient's chances of recovery, while immediate isolation reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.

“This is the response working as designed,” the ministry stated.

The government said it would provide further updates on the patient's progress as the situation develops.

108 Contacts in Quarantine as Kenya Intensifies Ebola Surveillance

The Ministry of Health has identified 128 contacts linked to the first Ebola case, with tracing efforts continuing to establish the whereabouts and health status of everyone potentially exposed to the virus.

As of October 13, health authorities had traced 113 of the 128 contacts.

Of those traced, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya and are undergoing daily clinical assessments and temperature checks.

The ministry said the contacts would remain under monitoring for 21 days from their last possible exposure, in line with the established response measures.

The remaining five traced contacts are outside Kenya, and the health authorities in the respective countries have been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Contact tracing teams are still searching for the remaining 15 contacts.

The ministry said surveillance efforts had also been expanded to include people who may have interacted with the second patient after he developed symptoms.

Those being assessed include quarantine personnel and healthcare workers who may have come into contact with him.

“Both cases are linked, and there is no evidence of spread in the wider community,” the ministry said.

The statement suggests that authorities have so far traced the infections to a known chain of contact, although investigations into possible exposure involving the second case are continuing.

Ministry Issues Warning to Health Workers

The government has directed health workers to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures as investigations and monitoring continue.

The Ministry of Health said infection prevention measures had been strengthened at quarantine facilities and designated treatment centres.

It added that healthcare workers had been provided with the protective equipment required to manage suspected and confirmed cases.

“Any contact who develops a symptom will be isolated and tested immediately,” the ministry said.

The directive applies to all health workers, regardless of the condition they are treating.

The ministry emphasised that strict infection prevention and control procedures remain essential in limiting the risk of infections in healthcare settings.

How Ebola Spreads and Symptoms to Watch For

The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant while avoiding unnecessary panic over the confirmed cases.

According to the ministry, Ebola is not spread through the air. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease or has died from it.

The public has been advised to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with the infection.

These include fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms has been urged to visit the nearest health facility for assessment.

The ministry also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the affected family and avoid spreading unverified information about the cases.

For official information and guidance, members of the public have been directed to call the Ministry of Health's toll-free line, 719.

Kenya Not Imposing Travel or Public Gathering Restrictions

Despite confirming the second case, the government says Kenya remains open, with no restrictions imposed on travel, trade or public gatherings.

The ministry said the national response was being coordinated through a single command structure under the Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, and the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026.

The World Health Organization has also been notified in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

The government has urged Kenyans to rely on official Ministry of Health updates as health authorities continue surveillance, contact tracing and monitoring.

The confirmation of the second case comes as public health teams work to identify anyone who may have been exposed and prevent further transmission.

For now, the ministry says the two confirmed cases are linked and that there is no evidence of wider community spread.

Authorities are continuing to monitor quarantined contacts and assess potential exposure linked to the second patient as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.