Another country has introduced new entry restrictions affecting Kenyan travelers following the Ebola outbreak, adding to the growing list of international travel measures involving Kenya.
Madagascar announced the restrictions through a public health notice, with the measures taking effect on November 1, 2026.
According to a Kenya Airways travel alert, the restrictions affect foreign nationals who have stayed in or transited through Kenya, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the previous 21 days.
“Kenya Airways customers traveling to Madagascar from 1st November 2026 are advised to take note of the public health measures & travel restrictions put in place by the government of Madagascar for anyone who has been to/transited through Kenya, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the statement read in part.
21-Day Quarantine for Travelers From Kenya to Madagascar
Madagascar has temporarily barred foreign nationals who visited or transited through the three countries within 21 days from entering its territory.
However, Malagasy nationals, foreign residents with valid work or student visas, and other authorized travelers can enter subject to mandatory 21-day quarantine and health monitoring.
“Malagasy nationals, foreign nationals residing in the country and holding a valid work or student visa, as well as any person(s) authorized to enter the country from these countries, are subject to a mandatory 21-day quarantine with health monitoring, in accordance with applicable procedures.”
The requirement also covers diplomats and expatriate staff of international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Affected travelers will be required to pay for their quarantine accommodation, meals and transfers to designated facilities, according to Kenya Airways.
The airline advised customers traveling to Madagascar from November 1 to familiarise themselves with the new public health measures.
Other Countries With Travel Restrictions Affecting Kenyans
Saudi Arabia, El Salvador and Israel have introduced or considered different travel restrictions affecting Kenyan travelers following concerns over the Ebola outbreak.
Saudi Arabia suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya and halted the issuance of all visa categories for travelers from the country. It also barred entry to people arriving from Kenya or those who had visited the country within the previous 21 days, including travelers passing through third countries. The government announced the measures on October 30, 2026.
Also Read: Duale Hits Back at Saudi Arabia, Challenges Its Decision Over Ebola Situation in Kenya
El Salvador also declared travelers arriving from or transiting through Kenya inadmissible under Official Letter No. 2026-6000-055. The restrictions also cover travelers from Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
Israel, meanwhile, took a different approach, with its Ministry of Health urging immigration authorities to consider a temporary entry ban on non-citizens who had visited Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo within the previous 21 days.
The Israeli proposal was reported on October 27, 2026, but was a recommendation rather than confirmation of a blanket entry ban.
Duale Gives Update on Ebola Cases in Kenya
Following the Saudi Arabia restrictions on Kenyans, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale challenged measures taken by Saudi Arabia over the Ebola situation in Kenya, describing them as excessive and unsupported by the country’s current epidemiological situation.
In a press release dated October 31, 2026, Duale defended Kenya’s response to the outbreak, saying the government had traced all contacts linked to the imported index case and placed some under quarantine.
Also Read: US Introduces New Ebola Travel Rules for Kenyans Flying Abroad
“We reiterate that the measures taken are not only excessive but not backed by the current epidemiological situation in the country,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya traced all 135 contacts linked to the index case, representing 100 percent of the identified contacts. Of these, 118 were quarantined.
Duale stated that all eight confirmed cases were linked to the index case, involving four healthcare workers and four close family members.
He maintained that no transmission had been recorded outside the cluster and that the country had no evidence of community transmission.
The Health Cabinet Secretary also said Kenya had not reported any new Ebola case since October 19, 2026. He confirmed that the country had lost two patients, including the index case.
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