Kenya Ebola cases have not increased following the country’s first reported Ebola-related death on October 5, according to the Ministry of Health.
Health authorities said on Sunday that tests on 293 samples had returned no positive results.
The announcement follows the death of a 40-year-old man who reportedly tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) before travelling to Nairobi.
Officials continue to monitor people who may have come into contact with the patient.
Kenya Ebola cases remain unchanged
Kenya’s Ministry of Health said it had recorded no additional infections following the imported case.
Health teams tested 293 samples as part of their response. All returned negative results.
Meanwhile, officials identified 122 people who had contact with the deceased patient.
Of those, 108 remain in quarantine. Authorities said none had developed symptoms at the time of the latest update.
The ministry urged the public to remain vigilant and follow recommended health precautions.
It also encouraged anyone experiencing possible Ebola symptoms to seek medical attention.
Kenya has established a public information hotline, 719, for questions about the virus.
First imported Ebola case prompts response
The patient was a 40-year-old man who had travelled from DR Congo to Nairobi.
According to Africanews, citing Kenyan health authorities and Reuters, he had tested positive for Ebola in DR Congo before arriving in Kenya.
He later died in Nairobi on October 5.
Following his death, authorities began tracing his contacts and testing people who may have been exposed.
Health officials also increased public awareness efforts to help residents recognise possible symptoms.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that Kenya was not experiencing a wider Ebola outbreak.
Instead, the organisation described the situation as a single imported case.
Ebola outbreak continues in DR Congo
Kenya’s response comes as DR Congo continues to face a serious Ebola outbreak.
According to the report, health authorities declared the current outbreak on May 15.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
The report states that no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available for this strain.
Figures released by DR Congo’s National Institute of Public Health on Sunday indicated 8,978 recorded cases and 4,336 deaths.
These figures highlight the scale of the reported outbreak and the importance of disease surveillance across borders.
Health authorities urge continued vigilance
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms.
The virus can cause fever, weakness, vomiting and other serious symptoms.
However, these symptoms can also occur with other illnesses. Laboratory testing is therefore essential for diagnosis.
Health officials encourage people who may have been exposed to seek professional medical advice rather than attempt to manage suspected infections themselves.
Contact tracing also helps authorities identify possible infections before wider transmission occurs.
Kenya continues Ebola monitoring
Kenyan authorities say they will continue monitoring identified contacts and testing suspected cases.
The latest results offer reassurance that officials have not detected additional infections following the imported case.
Nevertheless, health authorities have urged residents to remain alert.
Kenya’s response reflects the importance of early detection, laboratory testing and coordination between neighbouring countries.
For now, the Ministry of Health says no further Ebola cases have emerged from its investigations.