The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
In an advisory updated on October 19, 2026, the US Department of State cited several risks, including Ebola, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest and road safety.
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The development comes after Kenya confirmed one additional Ebola infection on Sunday, raising the total number of reported cases to eight.
Health Director General Patrick Amoth told the press that the Ministry of Health tested 38 people on Sunday, with one returning a positive result for the Bundibugyo strain. The latest patient is a patient attendant.
Health officials are continuing contact tracing, investigations and risk assessments as they work to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
The US advisory has urged travellers to take precautions to minimise exposure to the virus, including avoiding direct contact with people showing symptoms associated with Ebola and their bodily fluids.
Symptoms of the disease may include fever, headaches, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In some cases, unexplained bleeding or bruising may develop during the later stages of the illness.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to immediately isolate themselves from others, avoid travelling and contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for instructions.
Individuals seeking medical attention are also advised to call the healthcare facility before arriving to allow medical personnel to prepare and take the necessary precautions to protect other patients and healthcare workers.
US issues additional security warnings
Apart from the health concerns, the State Department has maintained strict travel warnings for several parts of Kenya due to security threats, including terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest.
In Nairobi, American citizens have been advised against travelling to Eastleigh and Kibera because of the reported risks of crime and kidnapping.
The warning also covers Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Tana River counties, excluding Tsavo National Park. Parts of Kilifi County north of highway C103 and coastal areas north of Malindi are also included due to concerns over terrorism and kidnapping.
West Pokot County and western Turkana County have similarly been designated as areas Americans should avoid because of crime-related threats.
The State Department has further warned against travel to areas of Marsabit and Turkana counties located within 50 kilometres of the Ethiopian border, citing the potential for unrest.
The CDC has urged visitors to Kenya to observe standard health precautions while travelling.
The Level 3 classification advises Americans to reconsider travel to Kenya but does not amount to a blanket ban on visits to the country.
The updated advisory comes as Kenyan health authorities intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak, trace contacts and assess the possibility of additional infections.
