The Kenyan government has officially classified Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a formidable epidemic disease, paving the way for the implementation of new measures to strengthen surveillance, screening and the management of suspected infections. In a special Kenya Gazette notice dated October 12, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the declaration under Section 35 of the Public Health Act. The decision was published under Legal Notice No. 203, while Legal Notice No. 204 introduced the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, detailing measures aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of the virus.
New Ebola Prevention and Control Measures
The newly introduced regulations establish procedures for screening travellers at points of entry, assessing suspected cases, isolating patients and referring them for medical care. They also provide for monitoring and quarantining individuals who may have been exposed to the virus as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
Transport operators will also be subject to provisions covering inspections and decontamination, while healthcare facilities, medical practitioners and laboratories are required to comply with disease notification requirements. The regulations further outline procedures for investigating suspected infections and tracing people who may have come into contact with confirmed cases.
Rules on Ebola Treatment and Burial
Under the new framework, the government may designate health facilities to manage Ebola cases and establish procedures for inspecting and decontaminating premises where suspected or confirmed infections have occurred. The rules also address the handling of bodies of people who die from Ebola, including safe and dignified disposal, burial documentation, transportation and repatriation.
Other provisions cover public awareness campaigns, communication through media organisations and assistance from relevant authorities in enforcing the regulations. The legal framework also sets out offences and penalties for violations, alongside provisions governing the review and duration of the rules.
Kenya Steps Up Ebola Surveillance
The declaration comes amid increased Ebola surveillance in Kenya following the confirmation of an imported case linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health authorities have been tracing contacts and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the virus to reduce the risk of further transmission. However, the legal classification of Ebola as a formidable epidemic disease does not, on its own, mean that the government has declared a nationwide Ebola outbreak. Instead, it establishes a legal basis for implementing specific public health measures to manage the disease.
What Is Ebola Disease?
Ebola is a severe viral illness that can cause fever, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, patients may also experience internal or external bleeding. The virus can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, as well as contaminated materials.
The new regulations recognise several viruses associated with Ebola disease, including Ebola, Sudan, Bundibugyo and Taï Forest viruses. The government’s latest measures are intended to strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response capabilities as health authorities continue monitoring the risk of further infections.
