By Seedy Jobe
The Ministry of Health has activated heightened surveillance and response measures following the declaration of an Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.
In a public health advisory issued on Thursday, the ministry stated that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC had classified the outbreak as a major health emergency. The WHO designated it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026, while the Africa CDC declared it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security a day later.
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has affected several health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public of an Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda,” the statement said, adding that authorities in The Gambia are in close contact with international partners and are actively monitoring developments.
Health officials stressed that there are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in The Gambia. Nonetheless, the public has been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and well-informed.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease, particularly in the absence of timely treatment. It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected individuals—whether living or deceased—or through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects.
Symptoms typically include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding. The ministry noted that early detection and prompt supportive care in health facilities significantly improve survival outcomes.
To reduce the risk of transmission, the ministry outlined key preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and clean water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and avoiding physical contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
The public has also been advised against handling or consuming sick or dead wild animals, particularly bushmeat such as bats, monkeys, squirrels, and forest antelopes.
Regarding burial practices, the ministry cautioned against handling the bodies of individuals who die from unknown causes or suspected Ebola. Such cases should be reported immediately to health authorities to ensure safe and dignified burial procedures.
In coordination with partners, the ministry has convened emergency meetings and intensified preparedness efforts, including enhanced surveillance at points of entry—such as airports, seaports, and land borders—public awareness campaigns, and the reactivation of Rapid Response Teams nationwide.
The National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has also been placed on alert and continues to monitor the situation closely.
The ministry urged the public to promptly report any suspected Ebola cases, unusual illnesses, or deaths of unknown cause to the nearest health facility or through its 24-hour toll-free hotline, 1025.
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