Somalia Steps Up National Preparedness to Prevent Potential Ebola Outbreak

Somalia Ministry of Health Strengthens Preparedness Against Ebola Virus

Mogadishu – June 6, 2026

The Federal Ministry of Health continues to strengthen its preventive measures and enhance national preparedness to respond to any potential risk of Ebola virus transmission, through a series of proactive actions focused on surveillance, coordination, and public awareness.

The measures include reinforcing health screening at all points of entry into the country, updating passenger health declaration forms, and improving laboratory capacity for early detection of suspected cases. The ministry is also prioritizing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures across healthcare facilities to reduce any risk of spread.

As part of emergency preparedness efforts, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) is coordinating responses among relevant health institutions. A recent ministerial meeting held at the PHEOC, under the National Institute of Health (NIH), reviewed the current level of readiness and discussed mechanisms to strengthen inter-agency coordination.

The ministry urged citizens to remain calm, follow official health guidance, and avoid spreading unverified information. It also emphasized regular handwashing, immediate reporting of any suspected symptoms, and increased vigilance, particularly in high-traffic travel areas.

These steps are part of a national strategy aimed at early prevention and strengthening the health system’s capacity to manage infectious disease threats, with a strong focus on protecting public health through preparedness and coordination.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the current alert level is precautionary, with continued monitoring of the situation at border points and within communities to ensure rapid response to any developments.