Kenya Ebola Outbreak
Kenya has recorded its first Ebola cases and first Ebola death, with infections linked to travel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of mid-October 2026, seven Ebola infections have been confirmed in Kenya, including a man who died in Nairobi after returning from the DRC via Uganda. The outbreak in the DRC has been described as the worst in that country's history, with thousands of deaths and more than 8,300 confirmed cases.
Current state
Kenya has confirmed seven Ebola infections, including the country's first Ebola death and three health workers who treated the initial patient; health authorities had identified 28 contacts and are monitoring for further cases.
3 sources · 3 reports · Updated 18 Oct 2026
What changed
Kenya's confirmed Ebola infections rose from one to seven, including three health workers who treated the first patient, resolving the question of whether any contacts were infected.
Developments
- Key development
Kenya confirmed four additional Ebola cases, bringing the total to seven; three of the new cases are health workers who treated the first patient.
- Earlier development
Kenya announced its first Ebola case and death, a Kenyan national who had been living in DR Congo and arrived in Kenya from DRC via Uganda before dying in Nairobi; health authorities identified 28 contacts.
Earlier coverage
- Kenya Confirms Four New Ebola Cases Seven Ebola infections have now been confirmed in Kenya, which before this month had never recorded cases of the deadly virus.
- Kenya reports first-ever Ebola death In tonight's edition, Kenya records its first Ebola death after a man travelled from the DRC via Uganda. Also, Comoros is tightening the rules on who can do business. In South Africa, concerns are growing that xenophobia and hostility toward foreign nationals could be driving African tourists away.
- Kenya confirms first Ebola case as man dies in Nairobi after DRC return More than 4,000 people have died in the worst outbreak in the DR Congo's history, with confirmed cases surpassing 8,300.