Kenya Confirms Four Additional Ebola Cases as Africa CDC Pledges Continued Support

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has acknowledged an announcement by Kenya's Ministry of Health confirming four additional cases of Ebola Virus Disease (Bundibugyo virus), raising the country's total confirmed cases to seven, including one death.

According to the Ministry of Health, the four new cases were identified among individuals who were already under quarantine due to prior exposure to the initial case. The newly confirmed cases consist of three healthcare workers and one family member, all of whom are currently receiving supportive care at a designated treatment facility. The ministry noted that there is no evidence of community transmission at this stage.

Kenyan health authorities reported that 128 of the 130 identified contacts—representing 98.5%—have been successfully traced and quarantined, while efforts continue to locate the remaining two individuals.

Africa CDC stated that it is working alongside the Kenyan government and partner organizations to assist the nationally led response, focusing on surveillance, technical coordination, risk communication, and community engagement. The agency also highlighted the risks faced by frontline healthcare personnel, emphasizing the necessity of infection prevention and control protocols, appropriate protective equipment, and ongoing training.

In addition, Africa CDC pointed to the evolving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a reason to maintain regional preparedness, urging Member States to bolster cross-border surveillance, information sharing, and early detection measures across the continent.

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