Sierra Leone has increased surveillance at entry points following Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Foday Sahr, the executive director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), confirmed that there are no known Ebola cases in Sierra Leone. Surveillance has been bolstered at entry points and health facilities to ensure early detection and swift response.
Rapid response teams are prepared in all 16 districts, with a focus on reviewing and restocking isolation protocols and personal protective equipment supplies. The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) is collaborating with various organizations including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Economic Community of West African States health authorities, and the World Health Organisation to monitor the situation and exchange real-time information.
The public is advised to refrain from unnecessary travel to affected areas, maintain regular handwashing practices, avoid contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids, and promptly report any suspected symptoms through the national emergency line. The African Union (AU) has expressed concerns about the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, emphasizing the risk of regional spread within Africa.
The AU Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, urged African countries and partners to enhance support for preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response in affected and vulnerable nations. He praised the swift responses and ongoing containment efforts by the governments of the DRC and Uganda, as well as the dedication of national health authorities and frontline workers. The AU also highlighted the lack of a strain-specific vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain driving the outbreak, underscoring the high risk of regional transmission.
