Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, toured the JKIA to assess the levels of preparedness and introduce newer measures as announced by the Government on October 7, 2026
Kenya has introduced stricter Ebola screening measures at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), requiring travellers arriving from 10 African countries to undergo enhanced health checks as authorities strengthen surveillance following the country’s first confirmed case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni announced the measures on Wednesday after inspecting health preparedness at JKIA.
Under the new arrangements, travellers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Angola, the Central African Republic, Zambia and Tanzania will be directed to Gate 16 for enhanced screening.
Muthoni said the measures were intended to improve early detection and help health officials identify travellers who might have been exposed to the virus.
“Gate 16 will now serve passengers arriving from these 10 countries, with enhanced screening measures in place to ensure that anyone who may have been exposed is identified early,” she said.
The changes form part of the government’s wider efforts to strengthen surveillance at Kenya’s main international airport and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Kenya Introduces New Traveller Health Declarations
In addition to enhanced screening for arriving passengers, the government has introduced health declaration forms for travellers departing Kenya.
The new requirement supplements the health information already collected from incoming passengers.
Travellers arriving in Kenya will be required to provide details about their current health status and disclose any treatment or medication they have received during the preceding month.
According to Muthoni, the information will help health authorities identify individuals who may have experienced illness before travelling and determine whether they require additional medical assessment.
The measures come amid concerns about the challenges of detecting Ebola at airports, particularly when infected individuals are travelling before their symptoms become apparent.
Health authorities are also strengthening surveillance at other points of entry as part of the national response.
Kenya Confirms First Ebola Bundibugyo Case
The heightened screening measures follow the death of a 40-year-old Kenyan man whose infection with Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease was confirmed by laboratory tests.
According to the supplied report, the man had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for seven years and became ill approximately one month before travelling.
He reportedly received treatment at several health facilities in the DRC before travelling by road to Kampala, Uganda.
On October 3, he boarded a Jambojet flight to Nairobi and passed through routine health screening at JKIA.
His condition subsequently deteriorated, prompting his transfer to Nairobi Hospital, where he was isolated and tested.
The reported symptoms included fever, chills, severe fatigue, muscle pain, a sore throat, painful swallowing and bleeding beneath the skin at injection sites.
Laboratory tests conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
The patient died at approximately 11:30 p.m. on October 5.
The case has drawn attention to the limitations of routine airport screening, which may not identify every infected traveller, especially if symptoms are not evident during arrival checks.
Thousands Screened as Surveillance Intensifies
Following confirmation of the case, Kenyan health authorities intensified surveillance and began tracing people who might have come into contact with the patient.
By October 6, more than 52,000 travellers had reportedly been screened, while 267 samples had been tested as part of the country’s response.
The government had also trained 4,971 healthcare workers in Ebola prevention and management.
These efforts are intended to strengthen the country’s ability to identify suspected infections, isolate patients promptly and limit the possibility of further transmission.
Contact tracing is another important component of the response because people who have had direct exposure to an infected person may require monitoring for symptoms.
The enhanced screening at JKIA is expected to play a key role in identifying travellers who may need further assessment based on their travel history, health status or possible exposure.
Africa CDC Calls for Early Detection
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has emphasised the importance of early detection, effective surveillance and rapid response in preventing further spread of Ebola.
“Early detection, strong surveillance, and rapid response remain critical to preventing further spread of Ebola,” the organisation said.
Health authorities have urged travellers and members of the public to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid unnecessary physical contact as a precaution.
People who develop symptoms after possible exposure have been advised to seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare workers about their travel history and any potential contact with an infected person.
Officials have also encouraged the public to follow verified health guidance and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports about the outbreak.
How Ebola Spreads
Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and death. Transmission generally occurs through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms or has died from the disease.
The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated objects and materials.
It is not ordinarily transmitted through casual contact with someone who is not showing symptoms. However, people who may have been exposed should follow public health guidance and seek medical assessment if symptoms develop.
The government has urged Kenyans to remain calm while health teams continue surveillance, contact tracing and other response activities.
The additional controls at JKIA are intended to strengthen early detection among travellers arriving from countries designated for enhanced screening.
As the response continues, health authorities are expected to assess the effectiveness of the measures and adjust surveillance activities according to the evolving public health situation.
