Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has gazetted new rules to prevent and control Ebola transmission in Kenya, introducing screening requirements at border points, mandatory disease reporting, quarantine measures and penalties for non-compliance.
According to a special gazette notice dated October 12, issued under the Public Health Act, the regulations establish procedures for detecting suspected cases, tracing contacts, isolating infected persons and managing the safe burial of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola disease.
“The Public Health (Declaration of Formidable Epidemic Disease) Order, 2026, declares Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) disease a formidable epidemic disease. The accompanying Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, define a confirmed case as: a person, whether living or deceased, in whom infection with a virus that causes Ebola disease has been confirmed by a designated laboratory diagnostic test,” read part of the gazette notice.
Under the rules, people entering or leaving Kenya must undergo screening and provide health, travel history, possible exposure, and contact details through a health declaration.
Travellers are also required to provide truthful and accurate information to the best of their knowledge. Port health officers may refer individuals who refuse screening or fail to provide the required information to immigration officers for further action.
Where screening raises reasonable suspicion of infection, health officials must arrange medical assessment, necessary testing, isolation, and referral to designated health facilities.
Transport Operators Given New Responsibilities
Operators or persons in charge of international conveyances must notify port health officers of suspected Ebola cases or deaths possibly associated with the disease on board their vessels or aircraft.
They must also provide health and travel history, possible exposure, and contact details; preserve passenger and crew records for contact tracing; and cooperate with lawful medical assessments, transfers, and infection-prevention measures.
Port health officers may inspect potentially contaminated conveyances, require decontamination by trained personnel and restrict their use until the grounds for the restriction cease to exist.
The rules further require health facilities to provide initial assessment and care within their capacity, apply infection prevention measures and arrange safe referrals where specialized treatment is needed.
Rules for Handling and Burying Ebola Victims’ Bodies
Additionally, the regulations introduce specific procedures for handling and burying people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola disease.
Only trained personnel using appropriate protective equipment may handle the bodies, which must be placed in sealed, leak-resistant body bags. Washing, embalming and undressing or redressing bodies for funeral purposes are prohibited.
Medical officers of health must arrange burial without undue delay, consult the next of kin where available, and allow family participation and religious or cultural observances consistent with infection prevention measures.
The rules also prohibit the transfer or repatriation outside Kenya of the body of a person who has died from Ebola disease.
Also Read: Govt Receives KSh260 Million Grant From China for Drought, Ebola Preparedness
Contacts to Be Quarantined for 21 Days
The rules require a 21-day quarantine for individuals identified as contacts of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases, calculated from their last relevant exposure.
Contacts must be monitored daily for symptoms and transferred to isolation if they develop signs consistent with the disease.
However, individuals whose results are negative after two diagnostic tests conducted under the relevant protocols may be released from quarantine before the 21 days elapse.
The rules also allow health officials to impose quarantine or travel restrictions where necessary to prevent transmission. Such restrictions must be supported by stated grounds, requirements, duration and arrangements for reassessment and review.
Also Read: Ruto Convenes Emergency Security Council, Unveils Enhanced Ebola Protocols
Penalties for Breaking Ebola Rules
Under the new rules, anyone who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with lawful Ebola screening, reporting, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, decontamination, or safe burial requirements commits an offence.
The regulations also criminalise knowingly providing false or misleading information or helping someone escape or attempt to leave isolation or quarantine in violation of a lawful order.
Those found guilty face penalties prescribed under Section 164 of the Public Health Act. Medical officers of health may also seek assistance from the National Police Service to enforce lawful isolation and quarantine orders.
The rules will remain in force for 12 months after commencement unless revoked earlier, and the Health Cabinet Secretary must review their necessity at intervals not exceeding three months.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
