Kenya has recorded a major milestone in its fight against the Ebola outbreak after five patients were discharged from hospital following laboratory tests confirming that they had recovered from the virus.

The Ministry of Health announced the development on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, confirming that the five patients had completed treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and were no longer infected.

According to Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth, two of the patients were receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), while the remaining three were admitted to The Nairobi Hospital.

All five patients were men who had completed treatment, remained free of symptoms and tested negative for the virus before their discharge.

In its November 3 report, Citizen Digital confirmed the recoveries, quoting the Ministry of Health's announcement. The publication also reported that the patients would receive psychosocial support following their discharge.

In another positive development, 46 additional contacts were released from quarantine after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms.

According to The Star, the 46 joined 20 other contacts who had previously been released on October 25, bringing the total number of people cleared from quarantine to 66.

However, 52 contacts remain under monitoring and are expected to complete their quarantine period by November 11, provided they remain symptom-free.

The Standard, in its November 3 health report, also confirmed that the five patients had recovered and that two others remained under treatment, one at each of the two hospitals.

Kenya has so far recorded nine confirmed Ebola cases linked to the first imported infection from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which was confirmed on October 6, 2026.

Of the nine confirmed cases, two patients have died, representing a case fatality rate of approximately 22.2 per cent.

The Ministry also confirmed that no new infections had been reported since October 19, while two patients remained under treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital.

In its November 3 coverage, Daily Nation reported that all identified contacts linked to the initial infection had been traced, with health authorities maintaining that there was no evidence of transmission beyond the identified cluster.

People Daily also reported the latest recoveries, confirming that the five patients had met the required medical and laboratory conditions before being allowed to return home.

Despite the progress, health authorities have cautioned Kenyans against assuming that the outbreak is over.

According to the Ministry of Health, the official 42-day countdown towards declaring the outbreak over will begin after the final confirmed patient has recovered or died and been safely buried.

The outbreak will only be declared over if no new infections are detected throughout the 42-day period.

Meanwhile, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reported that the Ministry had urged families, employers and communities to welcome recovered patients and released contacts without discrimination or stigma.

Members of the public have also been urged to remain vigilant and report suspected Ebola cases through the Ministry's emergency communication channels.

Kenyans can contact the Ministry through the toll-free number 719, dial *719# or send a WhatsApp message to 0700 719 719.

The latest recoveries offer hope in Kenya's fight against the outbreak, but health officials maintain that continued surveillance, contact tracing and public cooperation remain essential to preventing further infections.