DURBAN — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has moved to calm growing public anxiety over Ebola, confirming that there are no confirmed cases of the virus anywhere in South Africa despite a surge of false claims circulating on social media.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane has urged residents not to be misled by viral voice notes and online posts falsely claiming an Ebola outbreak in the province. She stressed that the public should rely only on verified information from the National Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Her reassurance follows a wave of misinformation that has spread across social media platforms, prompting concern among residents.
The NICD has confirmed that there are no laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in South Africa, while the National Department of Health has dismissed the circulating claims as false and without any factual basis.
While there is no outbreak in the country, health authorities say preparations remain in place should an imported case ever be detected.
Nosipho Ndaba, Public Relations Officer at Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital, said South Africa’s proximity to countries that have experienced Ebola outbreaks highlights the need for continued vigilance and planning.
READ MORE: Congo In Talks With US Over Third-Country Deportations
“South Africa is one flight away from a potential imported case,” Ndaba said.
She explained that the hospital, one of four facilities in KwaZulu-Natal designated to manage viral haemorrhagic fevers, has established a specialised Infectious Disease Unit equipped with isolation facilities and surveillance areas to safely assess and manage suspected cases.
According to Ndaba, the hospital’s state of readiness is the result of ongoing emergency planning rather than a response to any current outbreak.
Weekly meetings of the hospital’s Joint Operations Committee are held to assess preparedness, while multidisciplinary teams regularly conduct mock emergency drills and simulation exercises to test response plans and identify any gaps.
The exercises involve doctors, nurses, emergency medical personnel, infection prevention specialists and support staff to ensure a coordinated response if a suspected Ebola case is identified.
Health officials say the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic have reinforced the importance of early planning, rapid response and strong coordination during public health emergencies.
READ MORE: Africa Charts New Course in Global Health Governance at Landmark Accra Summit
Provincial health authorities also confirmed that surveillance systems remain active at South Africa’s ports of entry, with officials continuously monitoring regional disease trends in collaboration with national and international health agencies.
The department has warned that the spread of unverified information can cause unnecessary panic and undermine public confidence in the healthcare system.
Residents are encouraged to follow updates from the Department of Health and the NICD, avoid sharing unverified messages, and continue practising good hygiene, including regular handwashing.
For now, health authorities have reiterated that South Africa remains free of Ebola, while maintaining robust surveillance and emergency response systems to protect the public should the situation change.
