Ebola: What has happened regarding the patient recently quarantined in Mogadishu?

Ebola: What has happened regarding the patient recently quarantined in Mogadishu?

The Ministry of Health and Social Care of Somalia quarantined a Somali citizen on October 11, 2026, as a precautionary measure, after he traveled with a Kenyan man who later died from the Ebola virus in Nairobi on October 5, 2026.

The citizen was placed in the quarantine and treatment center for the Ebola virus at Forlanini Hospital in Mogadishu, to assess and monitor his health condition.

"The Somalia office of the International Health Regulations (IHR) received an official notification from its counterpart in Uganda on the evening of October 10, 2026. The notification indicated that a Somali citizen and a Kenyan citizen had traveled together from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), passing through Uganda. According to the information provided, both male citizens stayed at the same hotel and then traveled together in one vehicle to Entebbe Airport in Uganda.

"The two citizens subsequently traveled separately to Nairobi and Mogadishu. The Somali citizen traveled to Mogadishu via Addis Ababa, while the Kenyan citizen traveled to Kenya, and it was later confirmed that he died from the Ebola virus in Nairobi on October 5, 2026, while receiving medical care at a health facility in Kenya." This was stated in a press release issued last week by the Ministry of Health of Somalia.

The Director General of the National Health Institute of Somalia, Dr. Xuseen Abuukar Muxudiin, who spoke to the BBC, stated that the individual would be quarantined for 21 days, starting from October 3.

A blood sample has been taken, and the results of the test are expected to be available in the coming days.

The Director stated that two types of tests have been conducted: one locally and another sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). He mentioned that he could not specify the exact date when the official results would be available.

"The patient's condition is stable, and he is not showing any signs of Ebola so far," he said.

Somalia has been tracing individuals who have encountered or had contact with that man. The Director stated that the Ministry of Health is still conducting the tracing of those who have been in contact with the patient, and he does not wish to preempt that process, as there are established protocols that must be followed.

"Once the process is completed, the information will be presented to the public," he said.

This center is currently the only facility designated by the Ministry of Health of Somalia for the quarantine of individuals suspected of having the disease.