FREETOWN, 21 October 2026 – The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has urged Ebola survivors from the 2014 outbreak to remain vigilant, warning that their previous infection does not protect them against a new strain of the virus now under regional watch.
Harold Thomas, Health Promotion and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Advisor at the NPHA, speaking at AYV, said Sierra Leoneans must not assume they are immune simply because they survived Ebola before.
He explained that the 2014 outbreak that killed nearly 4,000 people in Sierra Leone was caused by the Zaire strain of Ebola, while the current concern in the region involves the Bundibugyo strain.
According to Thomas, surviving one strain does not guarantee immunity against another. He also clarified that the vaccines deployed against the Zaire strain – including Ervebo, which was used widely in Sierra Leone – do not necessarily provide protection against Bundibugyo.
“There is a false sense of security among some survivors. We want them to know they are still vulnerable,” he said.
Thomas expressed particular concern for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, who often have limited access to timely health information. He called for intensified community awareness and inclusive risk communication.
He further warned that the Bundibugyo strain often presents with milder symptoms compared to Zaire, which could make infected persons complacent and continue moving within communities, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.
The NPHA is advising the public to maintain handwashing, report any symptoms of fever, weakness or unusual bleeding to the nearest health facility, and follow all official health guidance.
The Agency says it is working with the World Health Organization and neighboring countries to strengthen surveillance at border points as the situation evolves.
