Online Reporter
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE has pledged US$1 million towards efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Central and East Africa, in response to an appeal by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as the disease continues to spread across the region, a top Government official has said.
The commitment comes as Government has intensified national preparedness measures following the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spread into Uganda.
“Zimbabwe has pledged US$1m towards fighting Ebola,” said Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba on his X handle.
“This followed an African Centres for Disease Control Appeal. We are very close to the Ebola vortex and so cannot be indifferent.”
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the evolving outbreak posed a sustained regional threat, requiring urgent action by countries within the region.
“As of May 22, 2026, the Ebola outbreak has recorded 750 cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and two confirmed imported cases in Uganda, becoming active cross-border transmission and sustained regional risk. Uganda’s cases have since increased to five,” he said.
“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.”
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe had not recorded any Ebola cases but remained on high alert because of its proximity to affected countries.
“Ebola is a disease of very high concern to us in Zimbabwe, even if we have not had any patients so far in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We have also alerted our trained staff at all port health entry points, both by air and by road, to make sure that they are aware and begin screening people as they cross the borders.”
He noted that movement of people through countries such as the DRC, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola and Zimbabwe increased the risk of imported cases.
Authorities have since intensified screening and surveillance at airports and border posts on roads, with trained health personnel deployed to monitor travellers for symptoms associated with the disease.
Tinaye Agere