By Bridgett Milton
Capitol Hill, May 27, 2026: The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has placed sixteen travelers returning from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under surveillance, following reports of an Ebola outbreak in the region.
NPHIL Director-General, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, informed members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 26, that health authorities are closely monitoring these individuals. The group includes nine Ugandans, three Liberians, one Congolese, and one Ethiopian national.
Dr. Camanor explained that this surveillance is part of Liberia’s proactive public health measures to prevent any possible outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus within the country. She added that surveillance officers have been deployed in all 73 districts nationwide to detect and respond swiftly to any suspected cases.
The House of Representatives had summoned health officials to discuss Liberia’s preparedness and response strategies after the recent Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
This move was prompted by communications from Montserrado County Representatives Dixon W. Seboe (District #16) and Prince A. Toles (District #8), urging an update on the country’s preparedness.
Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpoto, also addressed the House, assuring lawmakers that there are currently no reported cases of Ebola in Liberia. She emphasized that health authorities remain vigilant and have implemented robust measures to identify and respond to potential threats promptly.
Dr. Kpoto added that the government has constituted a national Ebola response team to further strengthen the country’s readiness. She appealed to the legislature for emergency funding and called for discussions with the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to reduce taxes and facilitate the importation of more personal protective equipment (PPE) into Liberia.
