Kenya has raised its Ebola preparedness status after Uganda confirmed two cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including one fatality, both involving travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Ministry of Health issued the public health advisory on Monday, May 18, 2026, noting that while Uganda has reported no further spread of the virus, Kenya is not standing down.
The alert comes against the backdrop of an active and worsening Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has already recorded 10 confirmed cases, 336 suspected cases, and 88 deaths, numbers that have kept the entire East African region on edge.
Kenya Tightens Borders and Surveillance
The ministry moved quickly to reassure the public that Kenya is not caught off guard. Screening measures are now fully operational at all international airports, seaports, and official border crossings, with health teams closely monitoring travelers arriving from affected regions.
Daily health reviews are running at both the national and county levels, backed by strengthened event-based surveillance systems designed to catch any unusual disease patterns early.
“The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the wider regional situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), East African Community (EAC) Partner States, and county governments,” the ministry said in its official statement.
National reference laboratories are now on standby and ready to process any suspected Ebola samples, supported by reinforced sample transport networks and strict biosafety protocols to prevent any accidental exposure during handling.
Hospitals and Health Workers Put on Notice
Beyond the borders, the ministry has directed health facilities across Kenya to tighten their triage systems and strengthen infection prevention and control measures from the ground up.
Teams are actively distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medical supplies to frontline facilities, while concurrently training healthcare workers on how to identify and manage potential Ebola cases before a situation can escalate.
National and county rapid response teams remain on standby for immediate deployment should any suspected case emerge, and high-risk counties are running simulation exercises and refresher training to keep response teams sharp and ready.
Why the Risk Remains Real
Health officials were candid about why Kenya cannot afford complacency. Heavy regional trade, constant population movement, and ongoing humanitarian travel between East African nations keep the risk of cross-border transmission persistently high, even when no cases have yet crossed the border.
Several other East African countries have already tightened their own surveillance and boosted preparedness measures in response to the same threat.
What Kenyans Should Watch For
The ministry is urging all Kenyans to take the threat seriously and act responsibly. Authorities have rolled out public awareness campaigns across media platforms and through community outreach programs, calling on citizens to reject misinformation and report potential symptoms without delay.
The ministry advises the public to maintain strict hand hygiene and avoid any contact with individuals displaying hemorrhagic symptoms. Anyone experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, or unusual weakness, particularly after traveling from affected areas, should seek immediate medical attention rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Medical workers, meanwhile, are being urged to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly follow infection prevention and control protocols, and immediately notify surveillance teams of any suspected case.
“The Government of Kenya remains fully committed to protecting the health and safety of all residents through enhanced preparedness, regional collaboration, and timely public health interventions,” the ministry added.
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