The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised against closing borders or restricting trade as Kenya confirmed its third case of Bundibugyo Ebola, with health teams continuing to monitor people who met the first patient.
In a statement on Friday, October 16, WHO said the second and third patients, a 39-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, were close family members of Kenya’s first case and had already been in quarantine when they developed symptoms.
“WHO advises against closing borders or restricting trade. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings,” stated WHO.
Kenya has now recorded three cases, including one death. The first patient, a Kenyan man who had travelled home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), died on the night of October 5.
WHO said it detected the two new cases early by monitoring the patients daily, which helped reduce the risk of further transmission.
The Ministry of Health has reported no evidence of community transmission. Kenya also remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings, according to the WHO statement.
127 Contacts in Quarantine
Following the first case, health teams identified 130 people who had been in contact with the patient. They included family members, friends, healthcare workers who cared for him and passengers who travelled on the same flight.
Also Read: Kenya Confirms Second Ebola Case
By October 16, 127 of the 130 contacts were in quarantine and undergoing daily temperature and symptom checks.
The monitoring period lasts 21 days, which is the longest time it can take for symptoms to develop after exposure to the virus.
WHO Representative to Kenya Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo said quarantine helps protect families and the public by reducing the risk of exposure.
“Being quarantined means the family and the general public are better protected from exposure to the virus, hence reducing chances of community transmission,” she said.
WHO noted that further cases among quarantined contacts remain possible before the monitoring period ends. However, it said the early detection of the latest cases demonstrated the importance of daily monitoring.
Patients Receiving Supportive Care
According to WHO, both patients are receiving supportive care in designated treatment units.
WHO said the second patient was in stable condition and responding well to treatment. Supportive care includes fluids to prevent dehydration and symptom management.
No licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for Bundibugyo Ebola, although trials are underway in the DRC.
Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, headache and sore throat. Vomiting, diarrhoea and impaired kidney and liver functions may develop later.
WHO said Ebola is not spread through the air. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died, or through objects contaminated with those fluids.
The organisation also noted that infected people cannot transmit the virus before developing symptoms, making early detection and isolation important in preventing further infections.
WHO Supports Kenya’s Preparedness
Kenya began preparing for a possible Ebola case in May 2026, when the outbreak was declared in the DRC.
With WHO support, nearly 5,000 health workers have since been trained to recognise the disease and safely care for patients.
WHO has supported the Ministry of Health with coordination, surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, patient care, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public communication.
Also Read: CS Duale Gazettes Strict New Ebola Rules and Penalties
The organisation has also provided supplies worth approximately US$70,000, including protective equipment, Ebola testing kits and infrared thermometers for screening travellers.
WHO commended the Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, national and county health teams, healthcare workers and families in quarantine for their role in the response.
The organisation said it would continue supporting the Ministry of Health and county teams as contact tracing and quarantine continue.
New Rules Introduce Ebola Screening and Quarantine Measures
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale gazetted new rules on October 12, declaring Bundibugyo Ebola a formidable epidemic disease and outlining measures to prevent its spread.
According to the Ministry of Health, travellers entering or leaving Kenya must undergo health screening and provide information about their health, travel history, possible exposure to the virus and contact details. Those who refuse screening or fail to provide the required information may be referred to immigration officers.
The rules require people who have been in contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola cases to be quarantined for 21 days after their last exposure. They must be monitored daily and isolated if they develop symptoms. They may be released earlier if they test negative twice under the required procedures.
Airlines and vessel operators must report suspected Ebola cases or deaths on board and provide passenger and crew records to support contact tracing. Port health officers can also inspect aircraft and vessels suspected of contamination and require disinfection before they are used again.
The regulations also set out how bodies of people who die from Ebola should be handled and buried. Only trained personnel wearing protective equipment may handle the bodies, which must be placed in sealed body bags. Washing and embalming are prohibited, and burial must be arranged without undue delay. The rules also prohibit transferring or repatriating the bodies outside Kenya.
The Ministry of Health regulations make it an offence to refuse lawful screening, quarantine or isolation measures without a reasonable excuse. Knowingly giving false information or helping someone escape quarantine or isolation unlawfully is also an offence.
The rules will remain in force for 12 months unless revoked earlier. Duale is required to review their necessity at intervals of no more than three months.
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