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By: Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, May 29, 2026 – Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando has clarified that the 16 travelers placed under public health surveillance are not Ebola patients, but are being monitored as a precautionary measure.
Minister Sanoe made the statement on Thursday, May 28, 2026, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing.
His remarks came amid growing public concern and social media debate over the status of 16 foreign nationals, who are currently under observation by health authorities after arriving from Ebola-affected regions in East and Central Africa.
He emphasized that there is a clear distinction between individuals under surveillance and those exhibiting Ebola symptoms.
Recently, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center suspended nurse Paola N. Bedell for raising alarm in a circulating WhatsApp audio message, in which she alleged that the hospital was secretly treating Ebola patients who had just entered the country.
Following her suspension, the Senate invited officials from the Ministry of Health to address public concern and controversy over the reports.
During their appearance, health authorities clarified that the 16 foreign nationals were not Ebola patients, but had been placed under enhanced public health surveillance as part of routine border screening and disease prevention protocols.
Officials explained that the individuals had not shown any symptoms of Ebola and were being closely monitored purely as a precaution, due to their recent travel history from high-risk countries including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Despite the ongoing social media debate, Deputy Minister Sanoe reiterated that the sixteen foreign nationals under surveillance have not shown any signs of Ebola and remain under observation as a precaution.
He stated that no confirmed Ebola cases have been detected in Liberia, adding that precautionary measures remain in place due to the country’s past experience with major outbreaks.
Responding to the controversy, Deputy Minister Sanoe said the nurse’s suspension was linked to the dissemination of what he described as false information that contributed to public alarm.
Sanoe further explained that surveillance measures are a routine part of Liberia’s border health security system, especially for travelers arriving from regions flagged as high-risk.
He emphasized that such monitoring does not imply infection, but is intended to ensure early detection and a rapid response if any symptoms emerge.
“This does not mean the person has the virus, but rather that they are being monitored,” Sanoe said, adding that systems are in place to track and manage potential health threats in the event of an outbreak.
