NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has formally classified Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a formidable epidemic disease under the Public Health Act, introducing new regulations governing screening, surveillance, isolation, quarantine and the management of suspected infections.
In a special Kenya Gazette notice dated October 12, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declared the disease a formidable epidemic disease under Section 35 of the Public Health Act.
The declaration is contained in Legal Notice No. 203, while Legal Notice No. 204 publishes the Public Health (Ebola Disease) Rules, 2026, setting out measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus.
New Rules Govern Screening And Quarantine
The regulations provide for public health screening at points of entry, medical assessment of suspected cases, isolation and referral of patients, as well as monitoring and quarantine of people who may have been exposed to the virus.
They also set out responsibilities for transport operators, including inspections and decontamination measures.
Under the surveillance framework, healthcare facilities, medical practitioners and laboratories are subject to notification requirements. The rules also provide for investigations, contact tracing and the designation of health facilities to manage Ebola cases.
Authorities are empowered to inspect and decontaminate premises where infections may have occurred, while the regulations outline procedures for handling the bodies of people who die from the disease.
These include safe and dignified burial arrangements, record-keeping, transportation and repatriation.
Other provisions cover public communication, awareness campaigns by media houses, enforcement assistance, offences and penalties, as well as the review and duration of the regulations.
Rules Follow Imported Ebola Case
The new legal framework comes as Kenya intensifies Ebola surveillance following confirmation of its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
The Ministry of Health confirmed on October 6 that a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for the virus after travelling through Uganda to Nairobi. The patient died on October 5 while receiving treatment.
Health authorities have been conducting contact tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the virus as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
The government’s response includes screening at high-risk points of entry, case investigations and risk communication, with support from the World Health Organization and other partners.
What To Know About Ebola
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can cause fever, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, patients may experience bleeding.
The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated materials.
The new rules recognise several viruses associated with Ebola disease, including Ebola, Sudan, Bundibugyo and Taï Forest viruses.
The regulations provide a framework for authorities to detect suspected infections, monitor exposed individuals and implement control measures aimed at limiting further transmission.
