EBOLA: Govt Suspends All Hotel Meetings, Seminars and Conferences
The government has suspended all meetings, seminars and conferences organised by its State Department and scheduled to take place in hotels following the confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease in Kenya.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni issued the directive in a memo dated Wednesday, October 7, 2026, ordering heads of directorates, divisions and programmes to immediately halt the planned gatherings until further notice.
The suspension took effect on October 7 as the government prioritised emergency preparedness, contact tracing and response measures following confirmation of the Ebola case.
“Following confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, the State Department is prioritising emergency preparedness, contact tracing and response measures,” the memo stated.
“Accordingly, all meetings, seminars and conferences scheduled to be held in hotels are suspended with immediate effect from Wednesday, 7th October 2026, until further notice.”
The directive signals a shift in government operations as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the risk of further transmission of the virus.
The suspension is intended to allow the State Department to focus on emergency response activities following the confirmation of the imported case.
Contact tracing is a key part of containing Ebola outbreaks, as health teams work to identify people who may have been exposed to an infected person, assess their risk and monitor them for symptoms.
Emergency preparedness measures also involve strengthening coordination among health agencies and ensuring that personnel and resources are available to support surveillance and response operations.
What Kenyans Need to Know About Bundibugyo Virus
Bundibugyo virus disease is a rare but potentially severe illness caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses responsible for Ebola disease.
The infection can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or with contaminated materials. It is not generally spread through casual contact with someone who has no symptoms.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea. Severe cases can progress to life-threatening complications.
Health authorities typically respond to suspected or confirmed cases through isolation, laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention measures and public health communication.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to an infected person should seek guidance from health authorities and avoid exposing others while awaiting assessment.
Suspension Remains in Force Until Further Notice
The government has not announced a date for the resumption of hotel-based meetings, seminars and conferences covered by the directive.
The suspension will remain in place until further notice, according to Muthoni’s memo.
The move comes as the country seeks to strengthen its response to the imported case and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Further guidance from the relevant authorities is expected to clarify when normal government meeting arrangements can resume and whether additional public health measures will be introduced as the response progresses.