NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Health said the country remained open for travel, trade and public gatherings, seeking to reassure Kenyans amid growing public concern over the infections.
“Kenya remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings. Remain calm, stay vigilant and follow official Ministry of Health updates,” the ministry said.
The assurance came after four additional cases were confirmed on October 17, bringing the total to seven, including one death. The new cases involved a close male relative of the first patient and three health workers who had treated him.
According to health authorities, all four were already in quarantine when they tested positive. The development underscores the importance of contact tracing and close monitoring as officials work to prevent further transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the response, including the decision not to impose travel or trade restrictions, while continuing to assist Kenya with surveillance, testing and infection prevention measures.
How Ebola spreads
The ministry has urged Kenyans to distinguish verified medical information from rumours, particularly claims that could cause unnecessary panic.
It clarified that Ebola does not spread through the air. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease or has died from it.
Members of the public have been advised to avoid contact with potentially infectious body fluids and to seek guidance from health authorities if they suspect exposure.
The ministry also urged anyone experiencing symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, unusual tiredness, muscle or joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, to seek medical attention promptly and disclose any possible exposure to the virus.
People seeking information or guidance can call the ministry’s toll-free hotline, 719.
Contact tracing and quarantine continue
Health authorities say early detection, isolation and quarantine are central to containing the infections.
The four cases confirmed on October 17 were detected among people already under quarantine and monitoring. The ministry said the approach was helping identify infections early and reduce the risk of further exposure.
By October 17, officials had identified 130 contacts linked to the cases, with 128 traced and placed under quarantine. Efforts to locate the remaining two contacts were continuing, while those identified were subject to monitoring for the recommended 21-day period.
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The ministry has warned that additional cases could emerge among people already identified as contacts, making continued surveillance and adherence to quarantine protocols important.
The WHO has similarly emphasised that contact tracing and quarantine are critical to breaking chains of transmission.
Public urged to avoid misinformation
The ministry has called on Kenyans to obtain updates from official government communication channels rather than circulate unverified claims about restrictions or the spread of the disease.
Although the government has not imposed a lockdown or suspended public gatherings, the absence of such restrictions does not mean the health response has ended. Authorities continue to monitor contacts, test suspected cases and implement infection prevention measures.
Kenya’s current cases are linked to the first confirmed patient, a Kenyan national who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3. He died on October 5.
The seven confirmed cases include the initial patient, who died, a relative and three health workers among the subsequent infections, alongside other linked cases identified during contact tracing.
Health officials continue to urge the public to remain calm, observe precautions and report suspected symptoms or possible exposure promptly as the country works to contain the disease.
