Published: October 23, 2026
MONROVIA — Travelers arriving in Liberia from or through the Democratic Republic of the Congo must now self-isolate for 21 days under daily health monitoring, and those from Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria face 21 days of monitoring, after Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case in a woman who had flown in from the DRC through Uganda, health officials said.
Sia Wata Camanor, interim director general of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, announced the measures Thursday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia. She said the restrictions, set out in Travel Advisory No. 2 issued jointly by NPHIL and the Ministry of Health, take effect immediately.
Travelers from Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria will be monitored for 21 days but are not required to self-isolate, under the advisory.
“The measures are intended to strengthen early detection and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission as the regional outbreak evolves,” Camanor said.
Camanor said Nigeria confirmed the case in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Oct. 20. She said the woman traveled from the DRC to Nigeria on an international flight that transited Uganda.
“She was admitted to a private health facility in Abuja, where she received treatment for several days before Ebola virus disease was confirmed on October 20, 2026,” Camanor said.
She said the patient is being treated in isolation and Nigerian health authorities have identified 44 contacts and begun contact tracing. The Liberian Investigator has not independently verified the details of the Nigerian case.
Camanor said Liberia has strengthened health screening at airports, land border crossings and seaports, in line with the International Health Regulations of 2005 and Liberia’s national standard operating procedures for points of entry. She said NPHIL and the Health Ministry have intensified surveillance at Roberts International Airport and at major land crossings, including Ganta Junction in Nimba County and Bo Waterside in Grand Cape Mount County.
All incoming travelers must complete surveillance forms disclosing their health status, recent travel and any possible exposure.
“All incoming travelers are required to provide accurate information about their health status, recent travel history, and any direct contact with sick people or dead bodies,” Camanor said.
Health workers will conduct temperature checks and other screening, and anyone suspected of having Ebola or another infectious disease will be handled under national health protocols. Vehicles, aircraft and other conveyances suspected of contamination by infected people, cargo or human remains will be decontaminated at points of entry. The advisory also requires travelers and transport operators to wash hands regularly, use sanitizer and avoid unnecessary physical contact.
“Travelers will receive health information and be advised to report any signs or symptoms of Ebola virus disease or other infectious diseases to the nearest health facility or call the designated health hotline at 4455. For ambulance-related emergencies, the Ministry of Health’s designated contact number is 588,” she said.
Camanor said health authorities are also monitoring international participants at an African championship under way in Liberia.
“We have also intensified the monitoring of travelers participating in the ongoing African championship, working closely with the organizers to monitor participants arriving from different parts of Africa,” she said.
She said authorities are increasing supplies of infection prevention and control materials to surveillance personnel and buying additional reagents to strengthen laboratory diagnostics.
Camanor said the National Reference Laboratory has been connected to the national electricity grid with support from the Liberia Electricity Corporation and the World Bank, and credited the Ministry of Public Works with improving road access that had hampered the transport of samples during the rainy season.
“After more than 35 years, the laboratory has finally been connected to the national electricity grid, and the lights were switched on Monday,” Camanor said.
“The public is advised to remain calm, practice good hygiene, cooperate with health authorities, and rely on official updates from NPHIL and the Ministry of Health,” she said.
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