Freetown, February 5, 2025 – Sierra Leone’s health authorities have heightened surveillance following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health announced on January 30, 2025, that the Sudan strain of the virus had been detected. While no cases have been reported in Sierra Leone, health officials are implementing precautionary measures to prevent any possible spread.
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have intensified screening at airports, seaports, and land borders. Emergency response teams are on high alert, and public awareness campaigns are being launched to educate communities on symptoms, prevention, and reporting procedures.
Ebola is a highly infectious disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or infected animals such as bats and primates.
Common symptoms include:
– Fever, weakness, headache, and sore throat
– Vomiting, diarrhea, and rash
– Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Prevention Measures
Health officials urge the public to take the following precautions:
– Regular handwashing with soap and water
– Avoiding contact with suspected Ebola patients and their bodily fluids
– Refraining from handling or eating bush meat
– Reporting any suspected cases immediately to the nearest health facility or calling 117
Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahr, Executive Director of NPHA, assured the public that authorities are closely monitoring the situation. He urged citizens to remain calm, adhere to health guidelines, and report any suspicious symptoms promptly.
“The health and safety of the people of Sierra Leone remain our top priority,” he emphasized.
