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The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and partners, conducted a three-day Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) simulation exercise from 12–14 August 2026 in Western Area Urban and Kenema District.
The exercise was designed to test and strengthen Sierra Leone’s preparedness, coordination and response systems for Ebola and other high-consequence infectious disease threats.
Although Sierra Leone has no reported Ebola cases, the country continues to maintain heightened vigilance because infectious diseases can cross borders rapidly through international travel, trade and population movement.
The exercise provided a practical opportunity for health authorities and frontline response teams to test whether existing systems can detect a potential threat early, investigate it quickly, contain it effectively and prevent further transmission.
The simulation tested the country’s capacity to identify and verify suspected public health signals through Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system. Participants assessed how quickly alerts could be investigated, risk assessments conducted, and information communicated to the appropriate authorities for timely action.
The exercise also assessed the functionality of district and national Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) under the Incident Management System (IMS). This enabled teams to practice the coordination, information-sharing, resource mobilisation and decision-making required during a public health emergency.
While Sierra Leone remains free of reported Ebola cases, the exercise demonstrates the country’s commitment to maintaining a state of readiness. Through continued collaboration between the Ministry of Health, NPHA, districts, health facilities, communities and partners, Sierra Leone is strengthening the systems needed to detect threats early, respond decisively and protect lives.
