Leone Stars to Be Quarantined on Return from DRC Due to Ebola Outbreak, Says Health Official
Kanja Sesay Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, will be quarantined upon arrival from their AFCON qualifying matches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Deputy Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi has said, as the country moves to protect citizens from a severe Ebola outbreak in the region.
Dr. Vandi made the announcement during an Ebola virus preparedness engagement with private practitioners, adding that the measure is aimed at safeguarding Sierra Leoneans from the deadly virus. The Leone Stars arrived in Kinshasa on November 8, 2026, ahead of a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the DRC, which took place at the Stade des Martyrs on November 12.
The quarantine directive comes as the DRC grapples with its largest Ebola outbreak on record. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in mid-May 2026 and has since spread across multiple countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. By early November 2026, more than 10,600 confirmed cases and 5,100 deaths had been reported, with a fatality rate exceeding 50 percent. While the outbreak in Uganda has since been declared over, community transmission remains active in the DRC.
Sierra Leone has deep historical experience with Ebola, having endured a devastating outbreak from 2014 to 2016 that claimed thousands of lives and disrupted every facet of society, including the suspension of national football activities. The government’s swift decision to enforce quarantine protocols reflects a determination to prevent a repeat of that crisis, particularly as the country continues to strengthen its public health defenses under the leadership of the NPHA.
The NPHA’s engagement with private practitioners forms part of a broader strategy to ensure all healthcare providers, both public and private, are aligned in detecting and responding to potential viral hemorrhagic fevers. While specific details of the quarantine period and location have not been disclosed, similar measures in the past have involved mandatory isolation and health monitoring for returning travelers from outbreak zones.
The Leone Stars’ return comes after a challenging international window. The team faced the DRC in a high-stakes qualifier, with the Congolese side securing a 3-1 victory to maintain their lead in Group E. The quarantine will ensure that the players and technical staff can safely reintegrate into their communities without posing a risk to public health.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the team’s arrival and the exact quarantine arrangements in the coming days.