Gov’t Releases First 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

The government has released the first 20 people who were quarantined following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported Ebola case.

The government has released the first 20 people who were quarantined following Kenya’s confirmation of an imported Ebola case, after they completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms.

In a statement on Monday, October 26, the Ministry of Health said the individuals were in good health and were returning to their families.

“Three weeks ago, on 6th October 2026, Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus Disease). Today, the first twenty (20) contacts who have completed the full 21-day monitoring period and are in good health are returning home to their families,” the statement read.

The ministry said the remaining 98 contacts would be released in four waves starting November 3, 2026, following individual health assessments.

“The remaining 98 contacts are expected to be released in four waves beginning 3rd November 2026 based on their individual health assessment. This is a milestone worth celebrating, and a clear sign that early identification, quarantine and close monitoring are working. It is also a reminder that the work is not yet done,” the statement added.

The government maintained that the outbreak remained under close surveillance, with nine confirmed cases recorded so far. 

Two patients had died, translating to a case fatality rate of 22.2 per cent, while the remaining seven patients were stable and continued receiving treatment.

The ministry also reported progress in investigations into the outbreak, with genomic sequencing indicating a link between the confirmed cases and the initial infection.

“Genomic sequencing of three (3) of the nine samples, show genetic linkage to the first case and to the Bundibugyo virus lineage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sequencing of the remaining six samples is under way,” the statement further read.

The ministry said the 20 people released from quarantine had undergone individual assessments to establish whether they met the required conditions for discharge, including remaining symptom-free for 21 days after their last exposure to the virus.

“Each of the twenty contacts was assessed against the release criteria, including 21 days without any symptoms since their last exposure. They do not pose any risk to their families, colleagues or neighbors, and we ask communities to welcome them back home warmly. We thank them and their families for their patience and sacrifice,” the statement noted.

File image of an Ebola isolation facility

Beyond physical monitoring, the government said it was providing psychological support to people affected by the outbreak, including those who had been quarantined, patients, their families and frontline health workers.

“Quarantine and illness can take a heavy toll on the mind as well as the body. The Ministry is therefore providing mental health and psychosocial support through trained counsellors and mental health professionals to contacts in quarantine, those returning home, patients and their families, and the health workers on the front line,” the statement explained.

The Ministry of Health said it had also intensified infection prevention and control measures in health facilities as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.

Assessments had been conducted in health facilities, infection prevention and control focal persons and champions appointed, and health workers trained on safety procedures, including the correct use and removal of personal protective equipment. 

The distribution of protective equipment to facilities was also ongoing.

Surveillance and screening continued at points of entry, in health facilities and within communities, with authorities investigating alerts promptly under the 7-1-7 approach, which requires outbreaks to be detected within seven days, notified within one day and responded to within seven days.

Despite the release of the first group of contacts, the ministry warned that Kenya would not declare the outbreak over until the required 42-day period had elapsed after the last confirmed patient met the established discharge or burial criteria.

“While we celebrate this milestone today, our eyes remain firmly on the finish line. The outbreak will be declared over only after 42 days. The 42-day count starts when the last confirmed patient has had two negative tests at least 48 hours apart and is discharged or is safely buried. We cannot afford to drop our vigilance until we reach that point,” the statement added.

The government also clarified that travel, trade and public gatherings remained unrestricted, urging Kenyans to remain alert for symptoms associated with Ebola and seek medical attention promptly if they developed them.

Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed Kenya will be declared Ebola-free if no new cases from the public are reported in the next 21 days. 

Speaking during an interview on Sunday, October 25, he said the World Health Organization (WHO) requirement for Ebola-free status is 42 days. 

Duale noted that no new cases have been reported in the community since Kenya reported the first imported case on October 3. 

“The people who tested positive are not from the wider community; it’s not a new case. These are people who are in quarantine stations and had contact with the patient. The seven cases we have are either the family members or healthcare workers.

“We have contained it, and I am sure the next time Kenya will be free of Ebola is when we reach 42 days. It’s not a Kenyan timeline; it’s a global timeline designed by WHO,” he said. 

Duale also mentioned that the government has traced all the individuals who came in contact with patient zero. 

“The global standard for contact tracing is 85%; we have done 100%. We have traced everybody and put them under quarantine. About 21 of them will be tested, and if they test negative, they will be free to go home,” he added.

Kevin Koech is a seasoned digital journalist with over five years in the industry, covering breaking news, current affairs, and business stories.

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