Saudi Arabia Stops Travel to Kenya Over Ebola Fears

Saudi Arabia has stopped its citizens from traveling to Kenya. The country has also stopped issuing visas to travelers coming from Kenya. This decision comes as worries grow about the Ebola virus spreading in parts of Africa.

The new rules also stop travelers from entering Saudi Arabia if they come directly from Kenya. This also applies to those who have been in Kenya or any country with active Ebola cases in the last 21 days.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) shared this news in a statement on its official X account. They said these actions came after health authorities looked into the situation.

According to the agency, these steps are meant to reduce risks linked to the Ebola outbreak. They aim to protect the health of Saudi citizens, residents, and visitors.

These new restrictions build on safety measures that the Kingdom put in place in July 2019. They were made stronger in May 2026 for travelers from countries seen as at risk for Ebola outbreaks.

In June, Saudi Arabia also stopped travel to and arrivals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. They have also increased checks and monitoring at entry points for travelers from nearby countries.

The Kingdom’s Public Health Authority, Weqaya, said the health situation in Saudi Arabia is still stable. They are keeping a close watch on the situation and are ready to take more steps if needed.

These restrictions come during an ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus. This outbreak was first declared in the DRC back in May 2026.

Since then, it has spread to other countries, with cases reported in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and even France.

As of October 28, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the DRC has had 10,274 confirmed cases and 4,992 deaths.

Kenya has reported nine confirmed cases, with two deaths. Uganda has seen 20 cases and two deaths. Nigeria has one confirmed case with no deaths.

The spread of the virus outside the DRC has raised alarms among health officials about the risk of cross-border transmission. They emphasize the need to boost monitoring and early detection measures.