Kenya has made significant strides in containing the Ebola outbreak, with its last patient recovering from the virus and being discharged. This development marks a major milestone for the East African nation, which is now on a 42-day countdown to being officially declared Ebola-free. The first case of Ebola in Kenya was confirmed in early October, following the death of a Kenyan businessman who had contracted the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His mother also succumbed to the disease. A total of 135 contacts of infected patients have completed their isolation period, and no new cases have been reported since October 20. The outbreak has not shown evidence of wider community transmission, with all cases linked to the initial traveler from DRC via Uganda.
Kenya's health minister, Aden Duale, announced that seven patients have recovered and all contacts have completed their follow-up monitoring. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) described this achievement as an important step in the regional response to the outbreak. However, Kenya must maintain vigilance until the outbreak is officially declared over, adhering to WHO guidelines that require 42 days without new cases or a safe burial of the last patient before declaring the outbreak over.
The Kenyan government will continue heightened surveillance at border crossings, airports, health facilities, and communities throughout the countdown period. Emergency response teams will remain on alert across the country, while health authorities will monitor travelers arriving from affected countries. Returning Kenyans from Ebola-affected areas are required to complete electronic health declarations, undergo screening upon arrival, and spend 21 days in quarantine under the supervision of health teams.
The minister also called on countries that have imposed travel and visa restrictions to reconsider them. This comes after Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas to Kenyan nationals late October, prompting concerns among those seeking employment there. However, some progress has been made with the UAE announcing it will lift its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals, while maintaining certain health restrictions. Uganda, which shares a long and busy border with DRC, was among the first countries affected but declared its own Ebola outbreak over on August 27. The current outbreak in DRC has been caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is relatively rare, with no approved vaccine or treatment, though trials are underway.