Government Launches Five-Day Emergency Drill to Test Readiness for Ebola, Other Disease Outbreaks

By Simon Deng

The Ministry of Health and its partners have launched a five-day, full-scale simulation exercise to test the country’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies. This initiative comes as authorities seek to identify gaps and strengthen emergency response systems, particularly in light of the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The exercise will also address other disease outbreaks.

Caretaker Minister of Health, Dak Duop Bichiok, announced on Monday that the exercise, running from October 19 to 23, 2026, will bring together health authorities, emergency response teams, and other stakeholders. Activities will take place in Juba and Yei in Central Equatoria State, and Yambio in Western Equatoria State.

The Minister elaborated that the National Public Health Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and its partners, will conduct this comprehensive field simulation. Its primary focus will be preparedness and response to public health emergencies, including Bundibugyo virus disease.

Bichiok revealed that the full-scale simulation is designed to test the existing emergency response system under a simulated scenario and identify areas requiring further improvement.

“The purpose of this exercise is to assess and strengthen our country’s readiness to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to potential public health emergencies,” Bichiok stated during a press conference in Juba on Monday.

He added, “The exercise will enable our health professionals, emergency response teams, and relevant government institutions to practice coordination, communication, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and emergency response procedures.”

While neighboring Uganda has been declared Ebola-free, the Democratic Republic of Congo has registered over 9,000 confirmed cases. Meanwhile, Kenya is grappling with containing Ebola virus disease imported from the DRC via Uganda.

Bichiok affirmed that the caretaker government of the Republic of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute, remains committed to protecting the health and safety of all citizens.

He urged all citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information or alarming messages through social media, community networks, and other communication channels.

“We continue to work closely with our national and international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, risk communications, community engagement, and emergency preparedness across the country,” Bichiok concluded.

The full-scale field simulation exercise will involve relevant health authorities, emergency response teams, and participating stakeholders in three designated locations: Juba and Yei in Central Equatoria State, and Yambio in Western Equatoria State.