Somalia remains vigilant as Ebola cases are reported in East Africa
“Today, we are working on the development of our country, while neighboring countries have an outbreak of Ebola that is a threat to public life, and it is important to warn our people about it,” Maryan said.
Thursday May 21, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Health said Thursday it is stepping up emergency readiness after Ebola outbreaks were reported in East and Central Africa, with officials moving quickly to reinforce surveillance and public awareness before any case reaches the country.
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State Minister of Health Dr. Maryan Mohamed Hussein said the federal government is prioritizing early detection, public education and coordination with regional health workers to help keep the disease out of Somalia.
“Today, we are working on the development of our country, while neighboring countries have an outbreak of Ebola that is a threat to public life, and it is important to warn our people about it,” Maryan said.
The alert follows the World Health Organization’s declaration that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Maryan said Somalia faces exposure because people and goods move frequently across the region by air, road and other routes.
“Our borders are open, and people are constantly traveling between countries in the region by plane, by road and by other means. So we must raise awareness among the public,” she said.
Health authorities said Somalia is broadening its early warning system for infectious diseases, while regional health workers have been told to report any suspected Ebola case without delay.
The ministry said even a single suspected or confirmed case could trigger a public health emergency because Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. The virus can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding and, in severe cases, death.
The Ministry of Health urged the public to work closely with health officials, report symptoms that could indicate infection and follow guidance designed to prevent an outbreak.
Somalia has not reported any confirmed or suspected Ebola cases. Health officials said prevention, surveillance and public awareness remain the immediate priorities as regional health agencies press for tighter coordination to contain the outbreak. Africa CDC has also called for urgent regional coordination following the DRC outbreak and imported Ebola cases reported in Uganda.
