Egypt Says No Ebola Cases Detected, Raises Preparedness Measures

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population said on Sunday that no cases of the Ebola virus have been detected in the country, as authorities continue to closely monitor reports of infections in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international health bodies.

In a statement, Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the ministry had heightened its level of preparedness and activated preventive and precautionary measures at all air, sea and land entry points as part of Egypt’s epidemiological surveillance and early warning system.

Abdel Ghaffar said current risk assessments indicate that the likelihood of the virus spreading to Egypt remains low, noting that Ebola is not transmitted as easily as respiratory diseases. He explained that the virus spreads through direct and close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person after symptoms appear, which reduces the chances of international transmission when proper surveillance and infection-control measures are applied.

He noted that Ebola is not contagious during its incubation period and that the risk of transmission through travel remains limited under the health and monitoring measures implemented at international ports of entry.

The ministry also cited assessments by WHO indicating that the current global risk level linked to the outbreak remains low. It said elevated risk assessments within Africa are mainly tied to local conditions in outbreak zones and neighboring countries, rather than widespread international transmission.

Abdel Ghaffar said the declaration of a “global health emergency” in some outbreaks is an international mechanism aimed at strengthening coordination and preparedness among countries, and does not necessarily mean there is a direct threat to all nations or that the outbreak is out of control.

The ministry said precautionary measures currently in place include raising preparedness levels at all entry points, conducting health screenings for arrivals from affected areas, monitoring travelers for up to 21 days when necessary, and reinforcing the readiness of rapid response and epidemiological surveillance teams.

Authorities urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that the health situation in Egypt remains stable and that the country’s disease surveillance and response systems are operating efficiently.

The ministry also advised citizens traveling to affected regions to avoid non-essential travel, follow health guidance and contact health authorities if symptoms appear after returning from abroad.

Egypt’s Health Ministry said it would continue to closely and transparently monitor global developments related to the outbreak and announce any updates in line with international health regulations.