The Ministry of Health has urged Gambians to remain vigilant following the declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

In a public health advisory issued on 21 May 2026, the ministry said the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May, while the Africa CDC classified it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security a day later.

Health authorities clarified that there is currently no confirmed or suspected Ebola case in The Gambia, but warned that the country is closely monitoring developments due to the seriousness of the disease.

According to the ministry, the outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, with confirmed cases and active alerts reported in several health zones in the affected countries.

The ministry described Ebola as a severe and often fatal disease if not treated early. Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding.

Officials urged the public to maintain proper hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based sanitizers, and to avoid direct contact with individuals showing symptoms associated with the disease.

The advisory also warned against handling sick or dead wild animals such as bats, monkeys, squirrels and rats, as well as touching bodies of persons who died from unknown causes.

As part of preparedness efforts, the Ministry of Health said it has intensified surveillance at airports, seaports and land crossings, reactivated Rapid Response Teams across the country, and increased public awareness campaigns.

The National Public Health Emergency Operation Centre is also monitoring the situation in collaboration with partners.

The ministry called on the public to immediately report any suspected Ebola case or unexplained death to the nearest health facility or through the ministry’s toll-free emergency line, 1025.

By Adama Makasuba