# Kenya Tightens Ebola Checks at Nairobi Airport

> Kenya adds Gate 16 screening for 10 African arrivals after first Ebola case.
- Title: Kenya Tightens Ebola Checks at Nairobi Airport · The Rio Times
- Summary: Kenya adds Gate 16 screening for 10 African arrivals after first Ebola case. Kenya requires travelers from 10 African countries to pass through Gate 16 at…
- Keywords: kenya, ebola, nairobi airport, gate 16, us travelers, cdc, ebola screening, kenya health ministry, ebola case, travel advisory, kenya tourism, ebola outbreak
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/kenya-ebola-screening-nairobi-airport-us-travellers-2026
- Author: Amina Diarra
- Published: 2026-10-08T15:03:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: kenya, ebola, nairobi airport, gate 16, us travelers, cdc, ebola screening, kenya health ministry, ebola case, travel advisory, kenya tourism, ebola outbreak
## Ebola screening tightened
Kenya has added a dedicated gate for arrivals from 10 African countries at Nairobi’s main airport.

> Fill in the online form even before you land
## First imported Ebola case
Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case on Tuesday, 6 October, from a man who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
## Gate 16 list
The 10 countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, and the Central African Republic.
## Health checks required
Passengers must provide verified health details and disclose any medication taken in the previous month.
## Online form
Mary Muthoni, Kenya’s principal secretary for public health, urged travelers to fill in an online form before landing to reduce airport crowding.

> Fill in the online form even before you land
## CDC travel advice
The CDC rates the risk to Americans and travelers as low, listing one confirmed case and one death in Kenya.
## US entry rules
US citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) from US$30, with immediate processing for an extra US$100.
## Travel advisory
The State Department rates Kenya Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, with no changes since Kenya’s case.
## Ebola virus
The virus is Bundibugyo, one of the viruses that cause Ebola disease, with Congo’s outbreak reaching 8,665 confirmed cases and 4,178 confirmed deaths by 5 October.
## Quarantine measures
Kenya has set aside 241 beds for isolation, treatment, and quarantine, including Port Reitz Hospital in Mombasa.
## Tourism impact
Kenya’s tourism earnings reached about KSh 500 billion (US$3.9 billion) with 2.7 million international arrivals.
## WHO advice
The World Health Organization advises against travel restrictions to Kenya, Congo, and Uganda, favoring screening and contact tracing.
## What’s next
Flight contacts exposed on 3 October reach the end of the 21-day monitoring period around Saturday, 24 October.
## Travel advice
Travelers should apply for the eTA early, carry insurance, and monitor health for 21 days after potential exposure.
## What’s unknown
It is unclear whether passengers changing planes in listed countries face Gate 16 or when exit screening will start.
## Key takeaway

Kenya requires travelers from 10 African countries to pass through Gate 16 at Nairobi airport for enhanced health checks following its first imported Ebola case.