GAROWE: The Ministry of Health of the Puntland State of Somalia has issued a public health alert regarding the risk of Ebola following reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) of rising cases in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The ministry, in a statement released on Wednesday, urged residents to remain vigilant and implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection, while emphasizing that no Ebola cases have so far been recorded in Puntland or elsewhere in Somalia.
The ministry warned that Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly among people and cause deaths if not quickly contained and treated. Health officials listed symptoms including high fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from different parts of the body. Authorities called on the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with people showing symptoms associated with the disease, and immediately report suspected cases to nearby health facilities. The ministry said it was closely monitoring developments in coordination with the WHO and other health agencies as international officials track the outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC to prevent wider regional spread. .
WHO Declares Public Health Emergency Of International Concern
The alert from Puntland followed the WHO’s declaration on May 15, 2026, of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda. As of May 16, 2026, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in Ituri Province of the DRC, across at least three health zones. Additionally, two laboratory-confirmed cases (including one death) were reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other on May 15 and 16, 2026, among two individuals who had travelled from the DRC. The outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
The WHO has scaled up its response, delivering 11.5 tonnes of vital medical supplies within 72 hours of the outbreak declaration and deploying more than 35 experts and first responders to the field. The response is focusing on disease surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, and community engagement. The WHO has also activated its Contingency Fund for Emergencies, releasing an additional US$ 3.4 million to support the response. However, the WHO’s risk assessment for the epidemic is “high at the national and regional levels”, with concerns about the high number of suspected cases, the spread to urban areas, and the significant population movement due to insecurity and mining activities in the region.
Coordination With International Health Agencies
In response to the escalating situation, Puntland’s Ministry of Health stated it is closely monitoring the outbreak in coordination with the WHO, as well as other national and international health agencies. The ministry’s proactive alert follows a pattern of similar preparedness measures taken across the region. During a previous Ebola scare in 2022, Somalia’s federal health ministry similarly issued a statement assuring the public of its preparedness and collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to institute measures to stop the disease from entering the country.
The current outbreak has also prompted regional bodies like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to mobilize support. IGAD has appealed to its member countries to urgently back Uganda’s efforts to curb the spread, warning that neighboring countries would never be safe if the virus gets out of hand. International partners, including the World Food Programme and the International Organization for Migration, are also supporting cross-border surveillance and preparedness activities.
Despite the challenges, Puntland has been making significant strides in strengthening its health system. The reopening of the Galdogob General Hospital, a modernized facility serving over half a million people, is a testament to these efforts. The state has also completed major vaccination campaigns to protect thousands of children from preventable diseases. As the health alert remains in effect, Puntland authorities continue to call on residents to take the situation seriously, emphasizing that the risk of imported cases, while still low, exists. The ministry has vowed to keep the public informed of any further developments and to swiftly implement additional preparedness measures.
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