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Kenya will begin a 42-day countdown towards being declared free of Ebola on Thursday, November 12, following the discharge of its last patient and the release of the final 11 contacts from mandatory monitoring.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the development on Wednesday during a media briefing at Afya House, saying the country could be declared Ebola-free around December 23 if no new infections are reported during the period.
Kenya Begins 42-Day Countdown Towards Ebola-Free Declaration Following Discharge of Last Patient
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Kenya has reached a significant milestone in its response to Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease), following the discharge of the last patient undergoing treatment and the release of the final 11 contacts, who completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period in good health.
Addressing the media today at Afya House, Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale announced that the country will begin the 42-day countdown towards an Ebola-free declaration on Thursday, 12th November 2026. The declaration is anticipated on or about 23rd December 2026, provided no new case is recorded during this period.
The milestone comes 37 days after Kenya confirmed its first imported case on 6th October 2026. Through strengthened surveillance and contact tracing, all 135 contacts linked to the index case were successfully traced and monitored. All nine confirmed cases remained within a single transmission cluster, with no community transmission recorded.
As part of the national response, the Cabinet Secretary declared Ebola a formidable epidemic disease, while the subsequent gazettement of the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules provided the legal framework to guide containment and response measures.
The CS acknowledged the collective efforts of the National and County Governments, public and private health facilities, and development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), IGAD, and the Governments of the United States of America and India. He also recognised the cooperation and vigilance of Kenyans in supporting the response.
As the country enters the countdown period, the Ministry of Health will maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness across all counties. Rapid Response Teams will remain on alert, supported by active surveillance in health facilities and communities, prompt investigation of suspected cases, continued screening at points of entry, and sustained follow-up care and support for survivors.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed that Kenya remains open for business, tourism, trade and travel, with no restrictions on movement or public gatherings. He called on jurisdictions that imposed travel and visa restrictions on Kenya to review and lift the measures, emphasising that the country’s transparent reporting and adherence to the International Health Regulations should not attract punitive restrictions.
He further clarified that Kenya will not serve as a quarantine destination for other jurisdictions. Travellers will not be detained in Kenya to fulfil entry requirements imposed by their destination countries, while the Ministry will not issue quarantine or Ebola-free certificates for travel purposes, as such requirements have no basis in the International Health Regulations.
The CS urged Kenyans to remain vigilant throughout the countdown period, seek early medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly following travel to affected areas, and call the toll-free 719 line for assistance.
On accountability, the Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transparency and prudent management of resources, undertaking to publicly disclose all support received from the Government and development partners and account for resources and contributions mobilised towards the response.
The briefing was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga; Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth; WHO AFRO Director of Programmes & Management Dr Abdourahmane Diallo; WHO Country Director Dr Neema Kimambo; UNICEF Country Director Dr Shaheen Nilofer; US CDC Country Director Dr Runa Gokhale; Acting Director-General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Dr Maureen Kamene; Nairobi Hospital CEO Dr Felix Osano; bilateral & development partners & Ministry of Health directors and heads of divisions.
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) November 11, 2026
“Kenya has reached a significant milestone in its response to Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease), following the discharge of the last patient undergoing treatment and the release of the final 11 contacts, who completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period in good health,” the statement read.
The announcement marks a major step in Kenya’s response to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, 37 days after the country confirmed its first imported case on October 6.
According to Duale, health authorities traced and monitored all 135 contacts linked to the initial case. The nine confirmed infections were contained within a single transmission cluster, with no spread into the wider community.
The final 11 contacts completed their 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms, while the last patient receiving treatment was discharged.
As part of its containment measures, the government classified Ebola as a formidable epidemic disease and introduced the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules to provide a legal framework for managing the outbreak.
Duale credited national and county authorities, public and private health facilities, and international partners for supporting the response.
These included the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the governments of the United States and India.
He said the Ministry of Health would maintain heightened surveillance throughout the countdown, with rapid response teams on standby across the country. Health facilities and communities will continue to monitor suspected infections, while screening at points of entry and follow-up support for survivors will also be sustained.
“As the country enters the countdown period, the Ministry of Health will maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness across all counties. Rapid Response Teams will remain on alert, supported by active surveillance in health facilities and communities, prompt investigation of suspected cases, continued screening at points of entry, and sustained follow-up care and support for survivors,” the statement added.
The health minister maintained that Kenya remained open to business, tourism, trade and travel, with no restrictions on movement or public gatherings.
He urged countries that had introduced travel and visa restrictions against Kenya to reconsider the measures, arguing that the country’s transparent reporting and compliance with international health regulations should not result in punitive action.
Duale also clarified that Kenya would not hold travellers in quarantine to satisfy entry conditions imposed by other countries. He added that the Ministry of Health would not issue quarantine or Ebola-free certificates for travel purposes, describing such requirements as inconsistent with the International Health Regulations.
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He urged residents to remain alert during the 42-day period and seek prompt medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly after travelling to affected areas. Members of the public were also advised to contact the toll-free 719 line for assistance.
On the management of resources deployed to fight the outbreak, Duale pledged that the government would disclose all assistance received from development partners and account publicly for funds and other contributions mobilised for the response.
The briefing was attended by senior officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Kenya National Public Health Institute and Nairobi Hospital, alongside representatives of bilateral and development partners.
