The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has activated emergency health protocols and enhanced screening at all major entry points in response to a new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ventral Africa. In a public notice issued on Sunday 17th May 2026, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) reassured citizens that Sierra Leone currently remains entirely Ebola-free, with zero confirmed, suspected, or probable cas3s within her borders.
Authorities are, however, moving swiftly to prevent the virus from entering the country.
An active outbreak of the Bundibugyo Strain of Ebola has been declared in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have already been recorded. Neighbouring Uganda has also confirmed one imported death related to the outbreak.
While the NPHA officially assesses Sierra Leone’s immediate risk as “LOW,” Executive Director, Brigadier Prof. Foday Sahr noted that the devastating national experience of the 2014-16 Ebola epidemic dictates aggressive, proactive measures.
To shield the country from the elevated regional threat, the government has convened the National Emergency Health Committee and activated the Public Health Emergency Operatiobs Centre (PHEOC) to Alert Level 2 (Heightened Readiness).
The public is instructed to immediately call 117 if they, or anyone they know, develops sudden fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, or unexplained bleeding, especially if the individual has recently travelled from Central Africa.
Medical staff are ordered to strictly observe standard IPC precautions and to isolate, rather than treat, suspected cases in unprepared facilities until Rapid Response Teams arrive.
COURTESY OF SATELLITE PRESS
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