Monday October 19, 2026
Kenyan health workers and officials stand outside an Ebola isolation facility at The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, on October 7, 2026 [Andrew Kasuku/AP]
Hargeisa (HOL) — The Somaliland Medical Association (SLMA) has urged residents to follow preventive health measures and remain vigilant following reports of Ebola in Kenya, saying no cases have been detected in Somaliland.
In a statement issued Sunday, Oct. 18, the association said it was closely monitoring the Ebola situation in Kenya because of the commercial, social and travel links between the two territories.
advertisements
“While there is no evidence of Ebola cases in Somaliland, it remains essential to exercise caution and implement preventive measures to safeguard public health,” the association said.
SLMA expressed support for the Somaliland Ministry of Health Development and other relevant agencies working to strengthen preparedness, prevention and the control of infectious diseases.
The association warned that Ebola is a serious infectious disease transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, including someone who has died from the disease, or through objects contaminated with those fluids.
Symptoms can include sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, severe fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Bleeding can occur in some cases.
The association said Ebola symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses and urged anyone suspected of having the disease to seek medical assessment and appropriate testing.
It also called on residents to follow official health guidance from the Ministry of Health Development and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear.
adinside1The warning comes after Kenya reported three cases of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, prompting heightened surveillance and preventive measures in the region.
Somalia’s federal government has also stepped up health screening for travelers arriving from African countries following the cases in Kenya.
Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adan said medical teams had been deployed to airports to monitor incoming passengers as part of efforts to prevent the disease from entering Somalia.
“We have deployed a medical team to the airport to monitor flights arriving from African countries. We are now intensifying our preparedness after Ebola reached Kenya,” the minister said.
The Somaliland Medical Association (SLMA) emphasized that early detection, public awareness and compliance with official health guidance are essential to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.