The US Embassy in Nairobi has issued an advisory that all American tourists must obtain Kenyan health insurance as part of the electronic travel authorisation (eTA) application, a condition that became effective on 5 October.

Travellers who already hold an approved eTA but lack coverage are required to secure a policy before arrival, either via the eTA portal or Kenya’s eCitizen insurance platform, and keep a digital copy for presentation at the border.

Airlines have been instructed to verify passengers’ insurance documents before boarding flights to Kenya, ensuring compliance with the new rule.

The advisory follows the Ministry of Health’s confirmation of a third Ebola case – a 65‑year‑old woman who was already in quarantine as a primary contact of earlier patients.

She developed symptoms on 17 October, tested positive at the National Virology Reference Laboratory and KEMRI, and has been moved to an infectious disease unit for supportive care.

Kenya’s health authorities report that 127 of the 130 identified contacts (97.7%) have been traced and placed under quarantine, exceeding the 85 % benchmark needed to interrupt transmission chains.

Three contacts remain unlocated, and officials continue search efforts while warning that additional cases could emerge from those already in quarantine.

To strengthen preparedness, the Ministry has distributed protective equipment and screening tools to all 28 high‑risk counties and points of entry, and travellers from ten high‑risk countries now face enhanced screening, including a digital surveillance form and QR‑code verification on arrival.