CLAIM: "EBOLA IS IN LIBERIA"
VERDICT: FALSE
Full Text: On September 11, 2025, Momo J. Peters, a former University of Liberia-based Student Unification Party (SUP) member, made a Facebook post claiming that "EBOLA IS IN LIBERIA."
The post quickly gained significant public attention, generating over 90 reactions, 150 comments, and 110 shares. Many commenters expressed skepticism and denial of the claim, raising questions about its accuracy.
According to the World Health Organization, Ebola disease is a rare but severe illness in humans that is often fatal. The disease is caused by viruses belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family.
Six species of Orthoebolaviruses have been identified, with three known to cause large outbreaks:
- Ebola virus (EBOV) causing Ebola virus disease (EVD)
- Sudan virus (SUDV) causing Sudan virus disease (SVD)
- Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) causing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD)
The disease first emerged in 1976 through two simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The latter occurred near the Ebola River, giving the disease its name.
Verification: The Stage Media contacted the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Liberia's premier public health institution established following the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak.
NPHIL, created through the "NPHIL Act of 2016," serves as the country's frontline defense against disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. The institution works collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard public health across Liberia.
When contacted, NPHIL's communication team categorically dismissed the claim as "False and Misleading" and directed us to review their official communications.
Our review of NPHIL's official channels revealed multiple statements contradicting Peters' claim:
1. Laboratory Test Results
On September 10, 2025, NPHIL officially announced:
"The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) wishes to inform the public that the NPHIL regularly and routinely conducts surveillance and laboratory tests for Viral Haemorrhagic fever pathogens (VHF), which include Ebola virus and Marburg virus. To date (10th September 2025 at 21:00 Hrs GMT), all specimens received and tested by the molecular PCR method at the National Reference Laboratory of the NPHIL have demonstrated 'NEGATIVE' for Ebola and Marburg."
In a September 16, 2025 media address, NPHIL leadership provided detailed clarification (particularly from 2:52 to 7:45):
"In this country, we have had Ebola, particularly in 2014 when there was an outbreak in the region that affected Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone... these three countries do not take Ebola issues lightly; we take them very seriously."
The official explained that when recent suspected cases emerged in Maryland County, "the National Reference Lab, which is under the NPHIL tested samples that were extracted from the body... the samples came out negative for Viral Hemorrhagic fever (VHF) generally, suggesting to us that Ebola was not in those samples, Marburg was not in those samples, and Lassa was not in those samples as well."
NPHIL issued a September 12, 2025 press release confirming that "Second Test on 'suspected VHF Specimens' proves Negative for Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and other VHFs."
Given Liberia's traumatic experience with the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic, which claimed over 4,800 lives in the country, false claims about Ebola's presence can trigger unnecessary panic and undermine public confidence in health authorities.
NPHIL's robust surveillance system and transparent communication demonstrate the country's preparedness to detect and respond to potential viral hemorrhagic fever cases.
Conclusion. There is no credible evidence supporting Momo J. Peters' claim that Ebola is present in Liberia. The National Public Health Institute of Liberia has conducted multiple laboratory tests on suspected specimens, with all results proving negative for Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
