By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 1st June, 2026 – The Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Foday Sahr, has revealed that ambulances have been stationed at the Lungi International Airport to isolate and transport any suspected Ebola cases to the designated treatment facility at the Lungi Government Hospital, adding that surveillance and screening measures have been intensified at all official entry points across the country.
Foday Sahr revealed that Sierra Leone has not recorded any Ebola infection or suspected case, disclosing that the World Health Organization has classified Sierra Leone as a low-risk country, but said authorities had already activated nationwide preparedness measures under a Level Two response framework.
Calling for public vigilance, Prof. Sahr urged citizens to report any [person with] suspected symptoms or illnesses of [Ebola] through the emergency toll-free line, 117, while continuing to observe preventive health measures and avoid unnecessary body contact.
He reassured the public that there is no cause for panic, stressing that the country’s health sector remains alert and prepared to manage any potential outbreak
Speaking at the Government Weekly Press Conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre, Youyi Building, Deputy Minister of Health 1, Prof. Charles Senessie, said lessons learned from the Ebola, COVID-19 and Mpox outbreaks have significantly strengthened the country’s emergency response systems.
Prof. Senessie noted that Sierra Leone has developed expertise in outbreak management strong enough to support other nations, citing the country’s intervention during the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda.
He outlined four key pillars guiding the country’s preparedness strategy: emergency response infrastructure, human resource capacity, medical supplies and logistics, and disease diagnostic systems.
According to him, the various components are operating in coordination to ensure rapid detection, prevention and containment of any potential outbreak. He assured citizens that the health sector remains fully operational and ready to respond to emergencies.
