Kenya has discharged its last Ebola patient from hospital, marking a major milestone in its efforts to contain the outbreak of the deadly disease.
The country’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, announced the development on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
He said the patient had completed treatment at a Nairobi hospital and returned home in good health.
The final 11 people who had contact with infected patients also completed their 21-day monitoring period and left quarantine.
Kenya will now begin a 42-day countdown towards an official Ebola-free declaration. The country could be declared free of the disease on December 23 if no new infections emerge.
Kenya Records Nine Ebola Cases and Two Deaths
Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on October 6, 2026, involving a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda.
The outbreak involved the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Health authorities subsequently recorded eight additional infections, bringing the country’s total to nine confirmed cases.
The first patient and another person died, while seven patients recovered.
The infected individuals included four healthcare workers and four family members of the initial patient.
According to the Ministry of Health, all nine cases belonged to one transmission cluster. Authorities reported no community transmission.
135 Contacts Traced and Monitored
Kenyan health authorities identified and monitored 135 people who had contact with confirmed cases.
The contacts underwent monitoring and quarantine to prevent further transmission.
The last 11 contacts completed their mandatory 21-day observation period on Wednesday and returned home.
Officials also confirmed that Kenya had recorded no new infections since October 19.
The country’s response involved surveillance teams, healthcare workers, laboratory specialists and contact tracers.
WHO Commends Kenya’s Ebola Response
The World Health Organisation congratulated Kenya on discharging its final patient and completing contact monitoring.
WHO Regional Director for Programme Management, Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, described the development as an important milestone.
He praised the country’s transparency, early detection, contact tracing and coordination among health agencies.
However, he warned that the response must continue throughout the 42-day countdown.
Kenyan authorities said surveillance teams would remain active across the country. They will investigate suspected cases and continue monitoring for possible infections.
Ebola Outbreak Continues in Democratic Republic of Congo
Although Kenya is approaching an Ebola-free declaration, the wider outbreak remains a major concern across parts of Africa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to battle the Bundibugyo strain, with more than 11,000 confirmed cases reported.
Uganda and Nigeria have also recorded cases linked to the wider outbreak.
Kenya’s health authorities have maintained surveillance and screening measures to prevent new infections.
The 42-day countdown represents two consecutive 21-day incubation periods. If no new case emerges during that period, Kenya can officially be declared free of the outbreak on December 23, 2026.
