NAIROBI, October 19, 2026 (DAILYNWZ) — Kenya has confirmed a new Ebola infection, bringing its total to eight cases as an outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo spreads across the region and raises concerns about further transmission.
Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth said 38 people were tested on Sunday, with one returning a positive result.
The newly infected patient is a 49-year-old man who is not a healthcare worker. He developed a fever, headache and muscle pain, Amoth told Citizen TV.
The man worked as a patient attendant, cleaning utensils and linens, and was probably exposed to Kenya’s first confirmed case, Amoth said. That patient, a man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nairobi, was diagnosed earlier this month and died at a Nairobi hospital on October 5.
The latest patient developed symptoms on Saturday and was isolated from others in quarantine before being tested. The positive result was returned on Sunday, a health ministry source said.
Kenya has heightened its surveillance and response measures as the outbreak in neighbouring Congo crosses provincial and national borders. The latest case adds to concerns that infections could spread further through the region.
Congo confirmed on Sunday that the outbreak had reached North Ubangi, its eighth affected province, highlighting the growing geographical spread of the disease.
The developments underscore the challenge facing health authorities as they seek to identify infections, isolate suspected cases and limit transmission across borders. However, the information provided by Kenyan authorities did not specify whether additional suspected cases had been identified or detail the measures being taken following the latest positive test.