Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, says Zimbabwe has activated and strengthened its disease surveillance and emergency response systems amid growing regional concern over the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Uganda.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, Dr Mombeshora said Zimbabwe already has an Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system in place, supported by weekly epidemiological reporting and trained surveillance personnel.
“While Zimbabwe has established preparedness systems under the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response framework, the evolving regional Ebola Virus Disease situation presents an opportunity to further strengthen surveillance, real-time alert systems and co-ordination mechanisms to support rapid detection and containment of outbreaks,” he said.
The World Health Organisation on 17 May 2026 declared the current Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the DRC, which has spread into Uganda, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
As of 22 May 2026, the outbreak had recorded 750 cases in the DRC and two confirmed imported cases in Uganda. However, Uganda’s confirmed cases have since risen to five.
Dr Mombeshora said Zimbabwe’s risk is largely linked to increased movement of people across regional borders.
“Zimbabwe’s risk is primarily driven by population mobility across regional borders, necessitating strengthened early detection, rapid containment capacity and revamped border health security measures,” he said.
Cabinet has since approved the establishment of a provisional Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Contingency Fund to support the country’s response measures.
Dr Mombeshora said the fund would be guided by a rapid costed needs assessment covering surveillance systems, preparedness at points of entry, laboratory strengthening, mobilisation of infection prevention and control commodities, as well as rapid response deployment.
Zimbabwe has, during previous Ebola outbreaks, intensified screening and surveillance systems at border posts, airports and health facilities to prevent the possible importation of cases from affected neighbouring countries.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today
Leave a Reply