By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, May 16, 2026 - The government has been put on high alert following the outbreak of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ituri Province in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a public advisory on Friday, the Ministry of Health Director General, Patrick Amoth, said that laboratory tests have confirmed Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples, with preliminary findings indicating a non-Zaire ebolavirus strain.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans caused by Orthoebolaviruses and is transmitted via close contact with infected animals or bodily fluids from infected people.
The disease, which mainly affects the central and western African regions, was first identified in 1976 and causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal/external bleeding.
Although vaccines and treatments now exist, for this specific type of Ebola, mortality rates during previous outbreaks ranged from 25 percent to 90 percent according to the World Health Organisation.
As of 15th May 2026, 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been recorded, including four (4) deaths among confirmed cases, with the Eastern DRC being the most affected.
The 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined,” WHO stated in April 2025
The Ministry of Health has said that there is currently no recorded case of Ebola in Kenya; however, the country still remains susceptible to an outbreak due to regional travel, trade, and population movement between neighbouring countries.
In response, the government has activated enhanced preparedness measures, including forming a National Ebola Preparedness Team to coordinate readiness activities and placing the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) on alert for real-time monitoring.
Other measures that have been put in place include enhanced screening at airports and border entry points, strengthening laboratory diagnostic capacity, training healthcare workers, and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
On the other hand, members of the public have been encouraged to remain vigilant and maintain proper hygiene, avoiding contact with bodily fluids of sick persons, and seeking immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola, especially after recent travel to affected areas.
"The Ministry further advises the public to rely only on official information from the Ministry of Health and recognized international public health agencies, and to refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic,” the ministry stated.
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