The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has called on citizens across the country to remain alert and observe strict preventive measures following reported Ebola outbreaks in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
In a press statement issued in his capacity as Chairperson of the Service Delivery Cluster, the Vice President warned that increased movement of people across borders poses a risk of spreading the deadly disease into South Sudan.
“Given the movement of people across borders, there is a need for heightened vigilance and public cooperation to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease into our communities,” the statement reads.
The Vice President said Ebola is highly infectious and can spread through direct contact with infected persons, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials. He urged citizens to remain calm, informed, and alert.
Although no Ebola case has been confirmed in South Sudan so far, the government advised the public to strictly observe preventive measures in homes, schools, markets, churches, mosques, public transport, airports, and other crowded places.
“Everyone should wash hands regularly with soap and clean water or use alcohol-based sanitizers, avoid unnecessary physical contact such as handshakes, and immediately report any person showing symptoms,” he said.
The symptoms highlighted in the statement include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, and sudden weakness.
The Vice President also urged members of the public to avoid contact with dead bodies without proper medical guidance and to cooperate fully with health screening teams deployed at border points and public places.
Meanwhile, the government says it continues to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response systems across the country through the Ministry of Health and its partners.
The statement further warned citizens against spreading rumors and misinformation regarding Ebola.
“Citizens are urged not to spread rumors or misinformation but instead to rely on official communication channels for accurate updates and guidance,” the statement added.
The Vice President emphasized that defeating the threat of Ebola requires collective responsibility and discipline from all citizens.
“Together, we can safeguard our families, communities, and the future of our country,” he concluded.
