Health Ministry Confirms South Sudan is Ebola-Free, Calls for End to Travel Restrictions
By Patricia John Kenyi
The National Ministry of Health has confirmed that South Sudan remains free of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) despite heightened surveillance following outbreaks in neighboring nations. In light of this, the government has called on the international community to lift travel restrictions recently imposed on South Sudanese citizens.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, the Ministry’s Undersecretary, Dr. Oromo Francis, announced that all seven suspected Ebola cases reported across the country have tested negative.
The suspected cases included four from Juba, one from Yei, one from Yambio, and one from Nimule. Six of the samples were tested at the National Public Health Laboratory in Juba, while one was analyzed by the mobile laboratory in Nimule.
Precautionary Measures, No Active Transmission
The Ministry stressed that the country’s ongoing Ebola preparedness measures are strictly precautionary and should not be misinterpreted as evidence of active transmission within South Sudan.
“Our current activities reflect the government’s commitment to protecting the health of its people through early preparedness and risk reduction,” Dr. Oromo said. “They should not be interpreted as evidence of active Ebola transmission within South Sudan”.
Authorities stated that preparedness efforts have been intensified under the National Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Response Plan. This strategy is being executed in collaboration with the WHO, United Nations agencies, health partners, neighboring countries, and regional public health institutions.
