What Travellers and Families Should Know

Kenya has introduced strict new Ebola regulations to strengthen disease surveillance, border screening and the management of suspected infections following confirmed cases linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to Citizen Digital, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declared Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus a “formidable epidemic disease” under Kenya’s Public Health Act on October 12, 2026. The declaration was published as Legal Notice No. 203, alongside Legal Notice No. 204, containing the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026.

The new regulations empower health authorities to screen travellers at airports, seaports and land borders, assess symptoms and travel histories, and arrange further medical examinations where necessary. Suspected and confirmed cases may be isolated, while exposed individuals can be quarantined and monitored daily for 21 days after their last relevant exposure. Healthcare workers, medical practitioners and laboratories must promptly report suspected or confirmed infections. The rules also cover contact tracing, approved testing facilities, decontamination and the safe handling and burial of Ebola victims. As reported by The Star, failure to comply with lawful screening, reporting, isolation or quarantine requirements may constitute an offence. Authorities may seek police assistance to enforce lawful public health orders.

The measures follow Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola case involving a national who travelled from the DRC through Uganda to Nairobi. The patient died on October 5, with the infection confirmed on October 6. On October 14, authorities confirmed a second case involving a close relative who had already been quarantined. The Ministry of Health said the cases were linked, with no evidence of wider community transmission at that time. Officials also suggested that medication might have masked the first patient's symptoms during screening, although this remains an unconfirmed explanation. The developments have heightened concerns about cross-border transmission and the limitations of routine screening. By strengthening surveillance and contact tracing, Kenya aims to detect infections early, protect healthcare workers and communities, and prevent a wider outbreak. Travellers are advised to cooperate with screening procedures, provide accurate health information and report possible exposure promptly. The government’s approach emphasises vigilance and early detection while seeking to maintain travel and regional trade.