Sierra Leone has fully activated its national disease surveillance system, with health authorities confirming that all 1,600 health facilities across the country are now equipped with digital tablets and internet connectivity for real-time reporting of suspected disease cases.
Director of Disease Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology, Dr. James Squire, said the country has transitioned from the former paper-based system used before the Ebola outbreak to a modern digital platform designed to improve speed and efficiency in disease detection and response.
He clarified that the Ebola strain currently reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not been detected in Sierra Leone, stressing that any possible risk would only arise through international travel. He therefore urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious illnesses, particularly involving recent travelers.
Meanwhile, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has assured the public that laboratory systems across the country remain fully operational.
Public Health Laboratory Manager, Doris E. F. Harding, said diagnostic laboratories in Kenema, Makeni, and Freetown are fully equipped with trained personnel and necessary tools to detect epidemic-prone diseases.
She added that although the Ebola strain reported in Congo is a new variant without a vaccine, Sierra Leone’s laboratory system is capable of identifying and responding to it effectively.
Health authorities say ongoing collaboration with partners continues to strengthen the country’s public health preparedness and emergency response systems.
