Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient and released the final 11 contacts from quarantine, marking a major milestone in its efforts to contain the outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in a statement on Wednesday, said the development marked the first time since Kenya confirmed its initial case 37 days earlier that no patient was undergoing treatment and no contacts remained in quarantine.
The Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale noted that the last Ebola patient had been discharged in good health and returned home, alongside the final 11 contacts who had completed their monitoring period.
“He has been discharged healthy and free of the virus,” he said.
Kenya will begin a 42-day countdown on Thursday, after which the country could be declared free of the virus if no new cases are recorded.
“Forty-two days is twice the longest incubation period of the virus. If no new case is recorded in that period, Kenya will be declared free of Ebola on December 23, 2026,” he added.
Kenya confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo virus disease on October 6, 2026, involving a citizen who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda.
Contact tracing teams subsequently identified 135 people who had been in close contact with the initial patient, while eight additional cases were recorded, including four family members and four health workers.
Mr Duale said all eight patients were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms, preventing further transmission in the community.
The last case was confirmed on October 19, while seven patients have since recovered and two others died.
The WHO congratulated Kenya on the milestone, commending the government’s transparency, timely reporting and coordination during the outbreak.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa Director for Programme Management, Abdourahmane Diallo, who spoke on behalf of the Regional Director, Mohamed Janabi, described the recovery of the last patient as a remarkable achievement.
He stated, “I commend the Government of Kenya for its transparency, timely reporting, strong coordination mechanisms and commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its people.”
Mr Duale, however, warned that the discharge of the last patient did not mark the end of the country’s response, adding that rapid response teams would remain on alert across counties to investigate suspected cases.
“Let me be clear. The countdown is not the end of our response,” he said.
Dr Diallo also urged continued vigilance, describing the discharge as an important milestone rather than the end of the country’s efforts to contain the disease.
The WHO advised against travel and trade restrictions on Ebola-affected countries, urging anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
Mr Duale said Kenya remained open to business, tourism and travel, with no movement restrictions.
