Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke [email protected]
ZIMBABWE has stepped up its preparedness measures against Ebola following the declaration of a regional outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation.
The outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has since spread into Uganda, raising concerns over possible cross-border transmission.
Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda said the evolving situation in the region remained a major concern.
“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.
“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.
Zimbabwe already has surveillance systems in place to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. However, Dr Soda said the situation in the region had shown the need to further strengthen these systems to ensure faster detection and response. “However, the evolving regional Ebola Virus Disease situation presents an opportunity to further strengthen surveillance, real-time alert systems and coordination mechanisms to support rapid detection and containment of outbreaks,” he said.
In response, Cabinet has approved the establishment of a provisional Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Contingency Fund to boost the country’s state of readiness.
The fund will be guided by a rapid costed needs assessment focusing on surveillance systems, preparedness at points of entry, strengthening laboratory services, mobilisation of infection prevention and control resources, and the deployment of rapid response teams.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said although Zimbabwe has not recorded any Ebola cases so far, authorities were treating the threat with urgency.
“Ebola is a disease of very high concern to us in Zimbabwe, even if we have not had any patients so far in Zimbabwe. But our proximity to the DRC and the related movements of personnel through the borders of DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Angola, with all these countries being in SADC, means there is a very high risk that travellers may get to Zimbabwe,” he said.
The Minister said surveillance and screening systems had already been strengthened at all ports of entry, including airports and land border posts.
“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 start screening people as they cross the borders,” he said.
He added that screening efforts were focused on detecting fever, one of the key early symptoms of Ebola.
“The disease starts with flu-like illness, general weakness and progresses to severe symptoms such as abdominal pains, vomiting and bleeding from various body openings, including the nose, mouth and gums. It may also cause internal bleeding through the gut, resulting in bloody stools. We want to make sure that all our people are aware of these symptoms and the fever which can be detected through scanners at border posts,” he said.
Health experts have warned that increased regional travel and trade continue to raise the risk of Ebola spreading across borders, making early detection, strong surveillance systems and public awareness vital in preventing an outbreak.
