Kenya confirms eighth Ebola case as regional outbreak spreads

Kenya confirmed its eighth Ebola case on Sunday, as the outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo spreads across the region. The new patient is a 49-year-old man who likely contracted the virus from Kenya's first case, a traveler from Congo who died in Nairobi earlier this month.

Kenya confirmed its eighth Ebola case on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as a major outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across the region. Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth announced that 38 people were tested, with one positive result. The patient is a 49-year-old man who is not a healthcare worker; he developed fever, headache, and muscle pain. Amoth said the man was a patient attendant who cleaned utensils and linens and was probably exposed to Kenya's first Ebola case, a traveler from Congo who died in Nairobi on October 5. The latest case developed symptoms on Saturday, was isolated, and tested positive on Sunday. Separately, Congo confirmed the outbreak had spread to an eighth province, North Ubangi, raising concerns about wider regional transmission.