Kenya’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a second Ebola infection, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission following the country’s first reported case in October 2026.
The second patient, a 39-year-old man and close relative of the first patient, developed fever, fatigue and joint pain while in quarantine. He is receiving treatment at a designated medical facility, according to the ministry.
Kenya’s first case involved a citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He travelled to Kenya and died at a Nairobi hospital two days later. His journey through the DRC and Uganda before arriving in Kenya raised questions about regional border screening and disease surveillance.
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Following the initial case, Kenyan authorities began contact tracing and quarantine measures. Health officials also planned discussions with representatives from the DRC, Uganda and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate how the first patient travelled undetected.
Kenya has since strengthened its Ebola response, including screening at key entry points. The latest case adds to concerns surrounding the ongoing outbreak linked to the DRC, which has reported thousands of infections and deaths.
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Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, including those who have died from the disease. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, with severe cases potentially involving bleeding.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation and implement measures to limit further transmission.
