Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE has intensified Ebola surveillance and preparedness measures, with health authorities strengthening screening systems, retraining healthcare workers and enhancing response mechanisms to guard against any potential outbreak.
Although the country has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases, authorities say vigilance remains critical given Zimbabwe’s position along major regional transport and trade routes.
The Harare–Chirundu Highway, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, has become a key component of Zimbabwe’s disease surveillance network, facilitating the monitoring of travellers and cargo moving across borders.
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe remains on high alert despite the absence of confirmed Ebola infections.
“I must state that Zimbabwe does not have any confirmed case of Ebola. There was a suspected case admitted at Wilkins Hospital last Friday, but after investigations and testing, it turned out to be malaria. However, we used that suspected case to test our response system and identify any gaps in how we would manage an Ebola case should one occur in the country.
“Training of healthcare workers has already begun. We are not only training specifically for Ebola, but for the management of infectious diseases in general, with a focus on infection prevention and control. We already have trained personnel, but refresher training is necessary.
“So far, approximately 1 000 healthcare workers have undergone retraining as part of our preparedness efforts.
“At the moment, we do not expect an Ebola outbreak in Zimbabwe. The outbreak is mainly affecting areas in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda. We are therefore monitoring the movement of people from those regions.
“Particular attention is being given to cross-border truck drivers who travel from Central Africa into Southern Africa. While we screen all travellers, these groups are considered higher risk because of the distances they travel and the number of countries they pass through,” he said.
Health authorities say a recent simulation exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of the country’s surveillance systems in identifying and managing suspected cases. The exercise also helped officials identify areas requiring further strengthening, particularly isolation facilities and preparedness infrastructure at key points of entry.
Dr Mombeshora said surveillance measures have been enhanced across the country’s major border posts and airports.
“In terms of surveillance, we are currently screening travellers at all major ports of entry. At airports, we have thermal scanners, while at land border posts, we are using handheld temperature-monitoring devices. At present, we have adequate equipment to carry out screening effectively,” he said.
For a country strategically located at the crossroads of regional trade and transport networks, health officials say preparedness remains the most effective safeguard against imported disease outbreaks.
While the risk of Ebola reaching Zimbabwe remains low, authorities maintain that continuous surveillance, border screening and rapid-response preparedness are essential to protecting public health and ensuring the country can respond swiftly should a case be detected.
