Kenya has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against the Ebola virus, discharging its last patient who had contracted the disease. This development marks the beginning of a 42-day countdown towards being officially declared Ebola-free, provided no new cases emerge during this period. The outbreak in Kenya was initially triggered by a Kenyan businessman who died shortly after arriving in Nairobi from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in early October. He had contracted the virus in the DRC where over 5,000 people have lost their lives since May due to an ongoing outbreak.
Following the discharge of the last patient, Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale announced that seven patients in total have recovered from Ebola, and all identified contacts have completed their isolation period. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) hailed this as an important achievement in regional efforts to contain the virus. However, Kenya remains vigilant, maintaining heightened surveillance at border crossings, airports, health facilities, and communities throughout the 42-day countdown.
Under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, an outbreak can be declared over only after 42 days have passed since the last patient tests negative or is safely buried. The Ebola virus primarily spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit, and its incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. During this period, those exposed may not show symptoms for several weeks. To ensure safety, the Kenyan government will continue monitoring travellers arriving from affected countries, require electronic health declarations, screening on arrival, and a 21-day quarantine under supervision for returning citizens from Ebola-affected areas.
The minister also urged countries that imposed travel and visa restrictions to reconsider them, stressing that Kenya has no intention of serving as a quarantine centre for other nations. In May, a Kenyan court suspended US plans to open an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens, and the government maintains there is no need to restrict domestic travel, trade, or public gatherings despite the outbreak. International travel has been disrupted due to some Gulf countries introducing restrictions affecting travellers from Kenya and other African nations. Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas to Kenyan nationals in late October, causing concerns among those seeking employment there. However, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently announced it is lifting its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals, easing restrictions introduced in June. The UAE has also implemented approved health procedures for certain students, diplomatic passport holders, and Ugandan embassy employees. Uganda, which shares a long border with the DRC, was among the first countries affected but declared its own Ebola outbreak over on 27 August. The current outbreak in the DRC is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is relatively rare and lacks an approved vaccine or treatment, although trials are underway.