Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Four more Ebola cases detected in Kenya, bringing total to seven
Travellers walk through the border crossing facility at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) on the Kenya-Uganda border as health authorities step up Ebola screening measures, in Busia on October 12, 2026. Kenya reported its first-ever Ebola death, the health minister announced on October 6, 2026, after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo died after returning to the country. The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in May. The deadly disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years. (Photo by Bright Emoja / AFP)
International News, Latest News
October 17, 2026

Four more Ebola cases detected in Kenya, bringing total to seven

NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP)—Kenya has confirmed four new Ebola cases, the health ministry said Saturday, including another relative of the first victim and three healthcare workers who treated him.

The country had not reported a single case of the contagious virus until October 6, after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after returning to Kenya.

The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in May and has since reported over 9,000 cases. The deadly disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.

In a statement, Kenya’s Ministry of Health “confirms four new cases of Ebola”, bringing the total to seven overall, including the deceased first case.

The ministry said the four “developed fever” and were immediately isolated ahead of being tested, which returned positive.

“The new cases include a close male relative of the deceased”, it said, saying the man had been in quarantine since October 6.

The health workers — two men aged 29 and 35, and a 32-year-old woman -– had cared for the first patient, and had been quarantined since October 9.

The statement reiterated that “the risk to the general public remains low”, saying there was “no evidence of community transmission”.

Of 130 contacts, 128 have been traced and are now in quarantine, it added.

On Friday, the ministry announced a third case, a 65-year-old female relative of the first victim, who was now receiving treatment. Another relative, a 39-year-old man, was also in quarantine having tested positive two days earlier.

The country has never previously reported a case.

Neighbouring Uganda recorded 20 people infected, almost all of whom had travelled from the neighbouring DRC, and two deaths, before being declared Ebola-free in August.

Kenya’s first victim has not been named but was referred to as a 40-year-old businessman, who fell ill around a month ago.

He had been treated in the DRC, before travelling overland to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and flying into Nairobi on October 3, where he died after receiving treatment on October 5.

According to Congolese health authorities, the outbreak has infected 9,066 people so far and caused 4,381 deaths since the emergence in the DRC of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is still neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment.

Tags:

ebola Ebola cases Kenya
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

NHF introduces double subsidy for persons living with disabilities
Latest News, News
NHF introduces double subsidy for persons living with disabilities
October 17, 2026
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Jamaicans with disabilities who are registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) can now benefit from ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Fitz-Henley confident NaRRA will succeed, accuses Opposition of ‘smear campaign’
Latest News, News
Fitz-Henley confident NaRRA will succeed, accuses Opposition of ‘smear campaign’
October 17, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, says he is confident that the National Reconstruction ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
JFJ mourns cop killed in Sligoville shooting, concerned about injured child
Latest News, News
JFJ mourns cop killed in Sligoville shooting, concerned about injured child
October 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has expressed concern about the shooting of a 10-year-old girl during a police operation in Sligoville...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Paulette Trowers celebrates Grammy consideration for How Yuh Know Mi
Latest News, News
Paulette Trowers celebrates Grammy consideration for How Yuh Know Mi
October 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Songwriter and executive producer Paulette Trowers is celebrating a new milestone after How Yuh Know Mi , the album that transform...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cashan feels ‘proud, grateful and motivated’ by Grammy consideration
Entertainment, Latest News
Cashan feels ‘proud, grateful and motivated’ by Grammy consideration
October 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Reggae singer Cashan is embracing a new milestone as her album, Here Comes Cashan , enters consideration for the Best Reggae Album...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Hear The Children’s Cry wants harsher punishment for those who injure or kill children
Latest News, News
Hear The Children’s Cry wants harsher punishment for those who injure or kill children
October 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hear The Children’s Cry (HTCC) says it is deeply concerned over the wounding of “yet another precious Jamaican child”. The lobby g...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Senators condemn attack on police, call for civil society to do the same
Latest News, News
Senators condemn attack on police, call for civil society to do the same
October 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government and Opposition senators used the start of Friday’s sitting of the Senate to condemn the killing of Police Corporal Trev...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct