Ugandan health workers inside the Ebola red zone at the Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital isolation centre on October 20, 2022. (Daily Monitor).

The Ministry of Health says the country remains on high alert following the confirmation of Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

According to the Ministry, the outbreaks in neighbouring countries pose a serious risk of spread to South Sudan due to their proximity, combined with high population movement, mining activities, and cross-border trade.

Despite the regional threat, the Ministry said no confirmed Ebola cases have been detected in South Sudan.

The Ministry said it is working with the National Public Health Institute and partners to activate emergency preparedness systems. These include heightened surveillance at all points of entry, risk mapping along border routes, and the deployment of rapid response teams to high-risk areas.

Authorities said the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert mode to strengthen coordination, laboratory readiness, infection prevention, and community awareness efforts.

The Ministry further said cross-border coordination with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been reinforced to support early detection and information sharing.

The Ministry urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, and to immediately report any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility or through the toll-free line 6666.

Public health officials also advised the public to observe strict hygiene, avoid contact with suspected cases, and ensure safe burial practices under trained health teams.