Somalia stays alert as Ebola cases are reported in East African countries

Thursday May 21, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Health on Thursday stepped up Ebola preparedness efforts after new outbreaks were reported in East and Central Africa, warning that the country must remain vigilant as the virus spreads in the region.

State Minister of Health Dr. Maryan Mohamed Hussein said federal authorities are concentrating on early detection, public education and closer coordination with regional health workers to keep the disease from entering 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 is a public health emergency of international concern.

Maryan said Somalia faces a particular risk because people and goods move frequently across borders throughout 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 officials said Somalia is widening its early warning system for infectious diseases and has instructed regional health workers to immediately report any suspected Ebola cases.

The ministry warned that even a single suspected or confirmed case could trigger a public health emergency, given that Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials. The illness can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding and, in severe cases, death.

The Ministry of Health urged the public to work closely with health authorities, report any suspected symptoms and follow guidance intended to reduce the risk of an outbreak.

Somalia has not reported any confirmed or suspected Ebola cases. Health officials said the priority now is prevention, surveillance and public awareness, while regional health agencies call for stronger coordination to contain the outbreak. Africa CDC has also urged urgent regional cooperation after the DRC outbreak and imported Ebola cases reported in Uganda.