Published: May 16, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia’s Ministry of Health has issued a national health alert following a newly reported Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, while reassuring the public that no confirmed Ebola case has been detected in Liberia.
In a press release issued Saturday, the ministry said national health authorities are closely monitoring developments in collaboration with regional and international public health partners, including the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.
The ministry said Liberia remains mindful of the devastating impact Ebola previously had on the country during the 2014-2016 outbreak, which claimed thousands of lives and severely strained the nation’s health system.
“The nation’s experience during the 2014-2016 outbreak reinforced the importance of vigilance, early detection, rapid response, community awareness, and strong public health systems,” the ministry stated.
Health authorities said Liberia has since strengthened disease surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, border health measures, emergency preparedness mechanisms, and healthcare worker training to improve readiness for future public health threats.
According to the ministry, Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects or surfaces, and infected animals or animal products. Officials emphasized that infected persons can only transmit the virus after symptoms begin to appear.
Common symptoms include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, bleeding.
The Ministry of Health said surveillance and preparedness efforts remain active across the country, including monitoring at health facilities and border entry points, public awareness campaigns, and coordination with international health agencies.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm and continue observing preventive health measures, including regular handwashing, avoiding direct contact with bodily fluids of sick individuals, and promptly reporting suspected illnesses to health authorities.
“The Ministry of Health reassures the public that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Liberia,” the statement said. “The situation remains under close observation, and updates will be provided through official channels as necessary.”
Liberia was one of the countries hardest hit during West Africa’s Ebola epidemic between 2014 and 2016, alongside Sierra Leone and Guinea. The outbreak exposed major weaknesses in regional health systems and led to sweeping reforms in disease surveillance and emergency response across the subregion.
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