NAIROBI, Kenya – Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya, halted visa issuance to Kenyan travellers and imposed entry restrictions over the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
The measures, announced on October 30, 2026, also affect travellers entering the Kingdom through third countries if they have stayed in Kenya or another Ebola-affected country within the 21 days preceding their arrival.
According to Saudi Gazette, the restrictions were introduced after Saudi health authorities assessed the Ebola situation and its potential risks to the Kingdom.
The measures include suspending travel by Saudi citizens to Kenya, stopping the issuance of all categories of visas to people arriving from Kenya and barring their entry into Saudi Arabia.
The restrictions also apply to travellers who may have transited through other countries but previously stayed in Kenya or another country affected by Ebola during the specified 21-day period.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority, Weqaya, said the country’s health situation remained stable and was under continuous monitoring.
The authority added that it was tracking regional and international developments in coordination with relevant health agencies, with additional preventive measures possible depending on the evolving situation.
Kenya’s Ebola outbreak raises international concern
The restrictions come as Kenya continues to manage an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which had recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths by October 26.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, all nine Kenyan cases were linked to a single cluster originating from an imported case involving a Kenyan man who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda.
The eight secondary infections involved four family members and four healthcare workers.
The last confirmed case was reported on October 20, while health authorities said there was no evidence of transmission beyond the identified cluster.
The outbreak prompted an extensive contact-tracing exercise, with health officials identifying 135 people who had been exposed to confirmed cases.
On October 26, the first 20 contacts completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and were released from quarantine after remaining symptom-free.
Another 98 contacts were still under monitoring, with their release expected in phases beginning November 3, subject to individual health assessments.
Seven patients remained in care following the two reported deaths, with Y News reporting that the remaining patients were stable.
Health officials have also urged Kenyans not to stigmatise people who complete quarantine, saying those cleared after the required monitoring period pose no risk to their communities.
Saudi Arabia expands precautionary measures
Saudi Arabia’s latest decision builds on restrictions previously introduced against countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks.
The Kingdom had already strengthened precautionary measures for travellers from affected countries and their neighbours, including screening at entry points and epidemiological investigations.
In June 2026, it suspended travel by its citizens to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside restrictions on arrivals from those countries.
The new restrictions add Kenya to the countries facing travel and entry measures as authorities seek to limit the possibility of importing infections.
However, the World Health Organization has advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on countries affected by the outbreak, instead recommending evidence-based measures such as surveillance, contact tracing and screening at points of entry.
The Saudi decision therefore introduces an additional international travel restriction even as Kenya continues efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further infections.
