The government has declared Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a formidable epidemic disease under the Public Health Act. The new Ebola rules in Kenya set out how authorities will detect infections, trace contacts and stop the virus from spreading.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale signed the gazette notice on October 12, 2026. He declared the disease under Section 35 of the Public Health Act, Cap. 242.
“The Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) Disease is hereby declared to be a formidable epidemic disease,” the notice reads.
Key points
- The notice is dated October 12, 2026 and covers Ebola disease.
- The rules cover contact tracing, screening, isolation, quarantine and safe burials.
- Airports, seaports, inland ports and border crossings fall under the rules.
- County directors of health will act as medical officers of health.
What the new Ebola rules in Kenya cover
The regulations aim to prevent and control Ebola through surveillance, contact tracing and other suitable public health measures. They also require timely detection, reporting and investigation of cases. In addition, they provide for the safe assessment, referral and care of people who are suspected or confirmed to have the disease.
Another aim is the safe and dignified handling of bodies of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola. Moreover, the rules say public health measures must match the level of risk. They must also respect human dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms.
Confirmed and suspected cases explained
A confirmed case is a living or dead person whose infection has been established through a designated laboratory test. A suspected case is a person whom a medical officer of health or practitioner has reasonable grounds to suspect has Ebola. The grounds may include clinical signs, the circumstances of a death or epidemiological information.
The rules define Ebola disease as an illness in humans caused by a virus of the genus Orthoebolavirus. This includes Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Bundibugyo virus and Tai Forest virus.
Contact tracing, screening, isolation and quarantine
Contact tracing means identifying, listing, assessing and following up people who may have been exposed. A contact is anyone reasonably believed to have been exposed. That includes contact with an infected or suspected person, their body, blood or other body fluids. It also includes contact with an animal, material or surface that may carry the virus.
Screening may involve checking health declarations, symptoms, travel history and possible exposure. Officers may also observe signs of illness and measure body temperature. Health declarations can be on paper or in electronic form.
The rules also separate two terms that people often confuse:
- Isolation separates a suspected or confirmed case from other people while the person may spread the disease.
- Quarantine restricts the activities of an exposed person, or separates them under medical supervision.
The rules also define decontamination. It covers cleaning and disinfection of premises, vehicles, equipment and surfaces.
Borders and ports fall under the rules
The notice brings airports, seaports, inland ports and land border crossings under the regulations. It also covers facilities that provide services linked to entering or leaving Kenya.
Port health officers will carry out public health duties at these points of entry. They will be medical officers of health or other officers authorised under the Public Health Act. In addition, the rules recognise designated health facilities. They also name county directors of health as the medical officers of health for their counties.
