Liberia’s health authorities are pushing back against growing online panic over Ebola, insisting the country remains free of the virus while quietly ramping up preventive controls at key entry points.
At a press briefing in Monrovia, National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Interim Director General Dr. Sia Wata Camanor made it clear that there are no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases in the country. She described the circulating social media claims as unfounded but acknowledged the concern they have generated among the public.
Despite the absence of cases, health officials are not taking chances. Surveillance measures have been intensified at Roberts International Airport and along land borders, where health workers are actively screening travelers, including temperature checks and other precautionary procedures aimed at detecting potential threats early.
Authorities have also positioned sanitation supplies, including hand sanitizers, at major entry points to reinforce preventive practices.
In response to the spread of misinformation, NPHIL and the Ministry of Health are preparing to launch a nationwide awareness campaign. The effort will include distributing educational materials and engaging communities with verified, science-based information to counter false narratives online.
Dr. Camanor encouraged the public to remain calm but vigilant, urging citizens to follow basic health guidelines such as regular handwashing and adherence to official advisories.
While Liberia currently reports no Ebola cases, officials say the system remains on alert—mindful of the country’s painful experience during the 2014–2016 outbreak, which underscored the importance of early response, public awareness, and trust in health institutions.
