Health CS Aden Duale in Nairobi on October 8 /HANDOUTHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has assured Kenyans and the international community that the country remains safe for travel, tourism, trade and investment following confirmation of an imported Ebola Virus Disease case that resulted in the patient's death.
Duale said the government had intensified surveillance, contact tracing and emergency response measures to prevent further infections, urging countries not to impose disproportionate travel and trade restrictions.
Addressing ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organisations in Nairobi on Thursday, the CS said the case was detected through the vigilance of health workers and the country's preparedness systems.
“Kenya remains safe, open and vigilant. The confirmation of this imported case is a serious public health event, yet it does not, by itself, establish widespread transmission in the country,” Duale said.
He confirmed that the patient had died and was accorded a safe and dignified burial in accordance with established public health protocols.
The government, he added, was treating the situation with urgency, guided by verified epidemiological information and established public health procedures.
Duale said 57 contacts had been identified following confirmation of the case, with those already accounted for placed under appropriate monitoring and quarantine.
Health teams were working to trace the remaining contacts and ensure anyone developing symptoms was promptly identified, isolated, tested and treated.
“Following confirmation of the imported case, His Excellency the President directed the intensification of contact tracing and response operations,” he said.
The CS disclosed that Kenya's national Incident Management System had been active since May 2026, with national and county emergency coordination structures remaining on high alert.
He said 4,971 health workers had been trained in Ebola preparedness and response, while screening continued at 15 points of entry into the country.
More than 652,000 travellers had been screened cumulatively, while surveillance teams had investigated 263 alerts from 17 counties.
The government has designated isolation, treatment and quarantine facilities at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the National Police Service Hospital, Port Reitz Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital, with a combined capacity of 241 beds.
Five designated laboratories, including mobile laboratory capacity, are supporting testing, with results taking approximately six to 12 hours. Duale said 268 samples had been tested, with one confirmed positive case.
Duale said the government had mobilised protective equipment for frontline health workers, citing donations of 1,000 personal protective equipment sets from the World Health Organisation and 6,000 from the Indian government.
He called on international partners to support field operations, logistics, medical supplies, community engagement and patient referral systems.
The CS cautioned against decisions driven by unverified information, saying restrictions could cause economic disruption without necessarily improving public health protection.
“I therefore urge the international community to base its decisions on verified epidemiological information, science and established international public health principles,” he said.
He encouraged airlines to maintain their operations, tourists to continue visiting Kenya and businesses to sustain trade and investment.
“We will remain transparent and continue sharing verified information with the public, neighbouring countries and international partners as the situation evolves,” Duale said.
He reiterated the government's commitment to detecting infections early, isolating suspected cases safely, conducting rapid testing and tracing contacts comprehensively as the response continues.
