Three staff members who treated Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient have tested positive for the disease, bringing the national total to seven confirmed cases.

The Ministry of Health said the three workers were among four new cases announced on Saturday, 17 October, and that the first patient died earlier in the outbreak.

Contact with the index patient occurred on 3 and 4 October, but the health workers were not placed in quarantine until 9 October, prompting questions about the timing of protective measures.

Pathologist Ahmed Kalebi called for a clear timeline and an investigation into infection‑control practices at The Nairobi Hospital, where the patient was initially treated.

The Ministry noted that the patient was isolated in the hospital’s accident and emergency department on 6 October before being transferred to a dedicated isolation facility, and that staff worked in full protective equipment under supervision.

Health Director General Patrick Amoth confirmed that a close male relative of the first patient and the three health workers were placed in quarantine on 6 and 9 October respectively, and that all four developed fever as their first symptom before being isolated and tested.

Laboratory results from the National Virology Reference Laboratory and KEMRI confirmed the presence of Bundibugyo virus disease in the four new patients, who are now receiving supportive care at designated treatment centres.

Amoth highlighted that early identification was possible because of quarantine measures, which have helped keep the risk of community transmission low, with no evidence of spread beyond known contacts.

Contact tracing has reached 98.5 % of identified contacts (128 of 130), exceeding the global benchmark, while the remaining two contacts are still being monitored.

The ministry reiterated that Kenya remains open for business, with no travel, trade or public‑gathering restrictions, and urged the public to stay vigilant and seek medical care if they develop fever or other Ebola‑related symptoms.