Kenya refutes lockdown claims as third Ebola case hits the country | Nearly 690,000 screened so far

The Kenyan Ministry of Health confirms a third case of Ebola but denies any possibility of locking down the country due to the Bundibugyo Virus Disease spread.

“The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the country remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings,” an official statement maintained.

Previously social media outlets went berserk with speculations that Kenya may be forced into total lockdown.

The Ministry said nearly 690,000 people have so far been screened between May 2026, when the outbreak was first reported in DR Congo and October 2026.

But now a third infected patient has been confirmed.

This new Ebola case has been described to be a 65-year-old woman, who also happens to be a primary contact and a close relative of the first and second cases.

Of course, the first patient who brought the disease from DR Congo is already dead.

Now this third patient has been in quarantine since 6th October 2026 and once she developed fever, sore throat and malaise, she was isolated and specimens collected for testing.

According to the Health Ministry’s Director General, Dr. Patrick Amoth, the lady tested positive for Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease) at both the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory.

She has since been transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit (IDU), where she is receiving supportive care from our trained health workers.

Having been in quarantine, the patient was diagnosed early and is currently receiving supportive care improving her chances of recovery while limiting risk of further spread of the disease.

Being quarantined means the rest of her family and the general public is protected from exposure to the virus hence reducing chances of community transmission.

Meanwhile the second patient is said to be in stable condition and is responding well to supportive care.

The Ministry said it will share updates on progress of all reported cases.

The Ministry said it wishes to reassure the general public that the risk remains low as there is no evidence of community transmission of the disease.

“Out of the 130 contacts listed, 127 (97.7 percent) have been traced and are already in quarantine.”

This is above the global benchmark of 85 percent required to break the chain of transmission. Efforts are ongoing to trace and quarantine the three (3) remaining contacts.

In addition, cases among quarantined contacts are possible until their monitoring ends; if they occur, they will be detected and treated just as quickly.

The Ministry has distributed personal protective equipment (PPES), infection prevention control (IPC) commodities and public health screening equipment to all the 28 high risk counties and points of entry.

These additional supplies will further strengthen infection prevention and control measures at the quarantine centre, health facilities and points of entry ensuring every health worker is fully protected.

Further travelers from the 10 high risk countries will be expected to fill the digital surveillance form before boarding the aircraft from the point of departure and show the QR code to the port health officers upon arrival.

All aircraft arriving from these countries are being subjected to enhanced public health screening at Kenya International Airports.

Cumulatively, by 15th October 2026 the Ministry has screened 685,027 since the outbreak began in May 2026.

The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the country remains open for business, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick or deceased person, not through the air.

Symptoms include fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained bleeding, report it at once at the nearest health facility.