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THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed that no Ebola cases have been detected in the country despite the escalating outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
However, the ministry said nationwide preparedness and surveillance measures had been significantly strengthened amid concerns over possible cross-border transmission through international travel routes.
The Ministry said monitoring operations were now being intensified for travellers entering Malaysia from Uganda and the DRC, including those arriving through major international transit hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Singapore.
“At present, there are no direct flights from both countries to Malaysia,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Monitoring and screening measures continue to be strengthened for public health risk assessments and the implementation of early preventive measures.”
The ministry said preparedness had been reinforced at all international entry points, including airports and seaports, while existing infectious disease surveillance systems were being enhanced to improve early detection capabilities.
Health facilities nationwide have also been instructed to strengthen protocols involving case detection, isolation and management of suspected infections, including strict compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) procedures.
The ministry added that the readiness of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and healthcare worker training programmes had also been upgraded to ensure the country remained capable of responding rapidly should any suspected cases emerge.
In addition, Malaysia is strengthening laboratory diagnostic capacity through cooperation with the Institute for Medical Research and the National Public Health Laboratory.
Ebola is a severe and highly infectious disease that can be fatal, spreading through close contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or animals.
Common symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe cases may involve internal or external bleeding.
The ministry advised individuals with recent travel history to affected countries to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting or bleeding within 21 days of returning.
The latest warning follows the World Health Organization declaration on May 17 that the Ebola outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
According to the WHO, as of May 16, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in Ituri province in the DRC.
The organisation also confirmed two laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, in Kampala, Uganda involving individuals with travel history from the DRC.
Global health authorities remain concerned that continued regional movement and international travel could increase the risk of wider transmission if containment efforts are not rapidly intensified. - May 20, 2026
