Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE has pledged US$1 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support efforts to contain the spread of the Ebola virus across the continent, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has announced.
Prof Murwira said the pledge, made under the direction of President Mnangagwa, reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to Pan-African values and its constitutional responsibility to contribute towards Africa’s political, social and economic well-being.
“What is important is that this pledge is from Zimbabwe, as instructed by President Mnangagwa. The mechanisms and modalities on how it will be dispatched will be taken into consideration. This to us is broad because we are a member of the Africa CDC, and our foreign policy is Pan African by values and constitution.”
He said Zimbabwe has a duty to support programmes aimed at improving the continent’s social well-being, including the fight against the Ebola virus. “Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe is committed to programmes that advance the continent’s political, economic and social orientations and this pledge is part of the social aspect.
President Mnangagwa, through this pledge, is implementing what is in Zimbabwe’s foreign policy doctrine. The Constitution also mandates that Zimbabwe does so,” he said.
The Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency following the emergence of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 15.
The two organisations have since launched a joint US$518 million six-month continental response plan aimed at funding emergency interventions, surveillance systems and treatment efforts.
In its latest situation report released on Saturday, the DRC’s Ministry of Health warned of “rapid and continuous community transmission” after recording 71 cases of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola within a 24-hour period.
Health authorities believe the strain may have been spreading undetected for some time before the outbreak was formally identified.
According to the Africa CDC, the current outbreak has already surpassed the two previous outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain recorded in 2007 and 2012. Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, last week confirmed that although the country remains Ebola-free, Government has activated national preparedness measures in response to the regional threat.
He said Cabinet reviewed the national preparedness report last month and directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to maintain maximum readiness against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.
Continues on www.chronicle.co.zw
“As a responsible Government, Zimbabwe has activated its preparedness measures immediately following the outbreak declaration and the subsequent elevation of regional risk by the World Health Organisation. Cabinet reviewed the national preparedness report on 27 May 2026 and directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to maintain full readiness,” said Dr Mombeshora.
As part of the country’s preparedness strategy, Government has activated disease surveillance systems, intensified screening at all ports of entry and continued training health workers in disease detection, infection prevention and case management.
Dr Mombeshora also urged members of the public to rely only on verified information from official health authorities regarding Ebola.
“The public is specifically advised to seek immediate medical attention if Ebola symptoms develop, avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of any suspected case, practice regular hand hygiene and cooperate fully with health authorities during investigations and contact tracing. The Ministry is encouraging the public to rely only on verified information from official health sources regarding Ebola.”
Apart from the DRC, where more than 1 000 suspected cases and 220 deaths have reportedly been recorded, the Africa CDC has warned that 10 African countries remain at risk of Ebola transmission. These include Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia.
Uganda on Friday confirmed three new Ebola cases, bringing the country’s total to 19 cases and two deaths.
Uganda and the DRC have since introduced cross-border travel restrictions, including the suspension of some public transport services and the enforcement of quarantine measures.
In Kenya, although no Ebola case has yet been recorded, public debate has intensified following reports that the United States established an Ebola quarantine station for its citizens in the country.
