Kenya’s last Ebola patient goes home as 42-day countdown begins

“He has been discharged healthy and free of the virus,” said Honourable Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Health, as he announced that Kenya’s last Ebola patient went home on 11 November 2026. The last 11 contacts also returned home to their families the same day, having completed their monitoring in good health. For the first time since Kenya confirmed its first case 37 days earlier, the country has no patient undergoing treatment and no contacts in quarantine.

The news starts a 42-day countdown, with day one on Thursday 12 November 2026. “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 23 December 2026,” said Hon Duale at Afya House in Nairobi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulated Kenya on the milestone. “Surviving Ebola is a remarkable achievement, and we wish the survivor continued recovery, good health and successful reintegration into their community,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, Director for Programme Management at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, who spoke on behalf of Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa,

Kenya confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo virus disease on 6 October 2026, in a Kenyan who had travelled home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda. Contacts were listed and contact tracing teams quickly found all 135 people who had been in close contact with him, in Kenya and abroad. Those at risk stayed in quarantine, where health workers monitored them every day. In the days that followed, eight people tested positive, four family members of the first patient and four health workers who had cared for him before Ebola was suspected. “Every one of them was already in quarantine when they fell ill,” said Hon Duale. Because of this, the virus never spread to the community.

The last case was confirmed on 19 October 2026 and no new case has been recorded since. On 3 November, five patients were discharged: “the first Kenyans ever to recover from this disease,” according to Hon Duale. A sixth patient went home on 6 November, and with the last discharge, seven patients have now recovered. Sadly, two people died, and WHO extends its deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones.

Hon Duale thanked the doctors, nurses, laboratory teams, contact tracers and support staff who went to work every day, as well as Kenyatta National Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital, county governments, the families, patients and contacts, and partners including WHO. “This is not the victory of one person or one institution,” he said. Speaking to health workers, he added, “Four of our colleagues were infected in the line of duty. Your courage carried this response and the nation sincerely thanks you.”

Dr Diallo also praised Kenya’s openness. “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,” he said. Of the health workers, he said, “Their professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment saved lives and prevented further transmission.”

Health authorities emphasize that the work is not over. “Let me be clear. The countdown is not the end of our response,” said Hon Duale. Rapid response teams will stay on alert in every county, every alert will be investigated and survivors will receive follow-up care and support.

“While today’s event is a moment for cautious celebration, it is not the end of our work. The discharge of the last patient is an important milestone, but vigilance must continue,” reiterated Dr Diallo.

Ebola is still active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with nearly 11 000 confirmed cases and more than 5000 deaths.

WHO advises against travel or trade restrictions on countries affected by Ebola. “Kenya remains open for business, for tourism, trade and travel and there are no restrictions on movement or public gatherings within our country,” said Hon Duale. Anyone with fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, especially after travel to an affected area, should seek care early and call 719 free of charge.

“Today’s milestone demonstrates that when communities, governments, health workers and partners work together, even the most serious public health threats can be overcome,” said Dr Diallo.

“Fellow Kenyans, we are not yet at the finish line, but we can see it at a distance,” said Hon Duale. “Let us walk these last 42 days together with the same discipline and unity that brought us here until Kenya is declared Ebola-free.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.