Kenya has heightened Ebola surveillance at airports, border crossings and health facilities after the World Health Organization declared a fast-moving outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has been confirmed in eastern DRC’s Ituri Province and in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. WHO said the emergency does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, but warned that the risk of regional spread is significant because of cross-border travel, trade and insecurity in affected areas.
As of 16 May, WHO reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province, across health zones including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. Uganda has reported two laboratory-confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death, both involving individuals who had travelled from DRC.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has told counties to immediately activate rapid response mechanisms, strengthen screening and prepare isolation systems, while assuring the public that no case has been detected in the country.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to assure all Kenyans that, as of today, no confirmed or suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease has been detected within the Republic of Kenya,” the advisory said, according to local reporting.
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki directed counties to intensify surveillance at airports, seaports, airstrips, land border crossings and transit points, citing heavy movement of people and goods across East and Central Africa. “All County Governments and County Departments of Health are advised to undertake immediate enhanced surveillance, activation of rapid response teams, and strengthening of infection prevention and control measures,” she said.
The WHO alert marks a sharp escalation in regional concern because the Bundibugyo strain has no licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment, unlike some other Ebola strains. WHO says early supportive care can save lives, but containment depends on rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing, safe burials and strong community engagement.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO teams were already on the ground in Ituri, working with DRC authorities to contain the outbreak. He said the agency had deployed medical supplies and protective equipment to Bunia and released US$500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response.
“The outbreak is a reminder of the persistent threat to human health of disease outbreaks, and the importance of cooperation and solidarity to continually strengthen global health security,” Dr Tedros said. “Solidarity is the best immunity.”
Africa CDC also warned of a growing regional threat, saying the affected area is marked by “high population mobility, insecurity, and intense cross-border connectivity with neighbouring countries, including Uganda.” The continental health agency said it had convened more than 130 representatives from affected and at-risk countries, donors, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and pharmaceutical companies to coordinate preparedness and response.
In Kenya, health authorities have previously identified Busia, Malaba, Suam and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as high-risk entry points for Ebola surveillance because of travel links with Uganda. The Ministry has also activated emergency coordination systems, rapid response teams and laboratory networks to ensure suspected cases can be detected and tested quickly.
At JKIA, Kenya has previously designated controlled arrival zones for travellers from affected neighbouring countries as part of wider border surveillance for high-consequence infectious diseases, including Ebola and Marburg. “Kenya remains steadfast in protecting public health through proactive surveillance and emergency preparedness,” PS Muthoni said during a previous border surveillance exercise.
Public health experts say Kenya’s immediate risk lies not in confirmed domestic spread, but in importation through regional movement, especially if cases go undetected in informal health facilities or border communities. WHO noted that healthcare worker deaths in DRC and suspected community deaths point to possible gaps in infection prevention and unsafe burial practices, both of which can accelerate Ebola transmission.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated surfaces or infected wildlife. Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising. WHO says people are usually not infectious until symptoms appear, and the incubation period can range from two to 21 days.
For now, Kenyan authorities are urging vigilance without panic: report suspected symptoms early, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick people, follow official health guidance and rely on verified information.
The coming days will be critical. With DRC battling transmission in a conflict-affected region, Uganda managing imported cases in its capital, and Kenya tightening its borders, the outbreak is quickly becoming a test of East Africa’s ability to detect, coordinate and contain a deadly disease before it crosses more borders.
