HURUNGWE – Hurungwe district has activated emergency Ebola preparedness systems following concerns that its position along Zimbabwe’s main north-south transpor...
HURUNGWE – Hurungwe district has activated emergency Ebola preparedness systems following concerns that its position along Zimbabwe’s main north-south transport corridor could increase the risk of cross-border transmission of the disease.
The district’s response was discussed during an emergency risk management meeting held in Karoi this week. The meeting brought together district hospital officials, health teams and stakeholders from several government ministries to assess preparedness and strengthen response measures against a possible Ebola threat.
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The action comes after the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organisation confirmed an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. Cases and deaths have been recorded in health zones located in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, raising concern among health authorities across the region.
Health officials noted that the Bundibugyo strain presents a significant public health challenge because it currently has no licensed vaccine or approved treatment. As a result, authorities are placing greater emphasis on prevention, surveillance, screening and rapid response systems to reduce the risk of transmission.
Hurungwe district medical officer Munyaradzi Chidaushe said the district could not afford to underestimate the threat posed by the outbreak because of its connection to major regional transport routes used by travellers and commercial vehicles.
“We must be geared as it is spreading rapidly and we must be prepared as we are not spared. Karoi is near Chirundu and it is within the regional corridor from South Africa to the northern territory, including Zambia, DRC, Tanzania and Uganda,” said Chidaushe.
District officials confirmed that an isolation centre has already been established at Chirundu Border Post, which is located about 180 kilometres from Karoi. The facility is expected to play a key role in identifying and managing suspected Ebola cases that may be detected through border screening activities.
Health authorities are also screening travellers entering the country through Chirundu. Officials warned that continuous cross-border movement creates opportunities for disease transmission and requires strengthened monitoring systems at points of entry. Surveillance teams are working to ensure that any suspected cases are identified quickly and referred for appropriate management.
Hurungwe Rural District Council official Raymond Chetse said port health posts were already operational and that health personnel were undergoing training as part of the district’s preparedness programme. He said Chirundu remained the district’s primary area of focus because it receives thousands of trucks and informal traders every day, making it an important point for disease surveillance and screening.
District development coordinator Andrew Tizora said increased movement associated with the tobacco marketing season could further increase exposure risks. He urged companies involved in tobacco buying activities to participate in prevention efforts by introducing temperature checks at buying points. “Movement of people puts the town at risk. We must start the ball rolling with companies checking temperatures at buying points,” said Tizora. He also called for the establishment of an isolation centre in Karoi to complement the facility already operating at Chirundu.
Meanwhile, Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike called on the Ministry of Health and Child Care to strengthen coordination with development partners as part of the Ebola preparedness strategy. He said authorities should enhance surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, case management, logistics and border health services. Rusike also urged officials to improve traveller screening at high-risk entry points and ensure that the public receives timely and accurate information to counter misinformation. Health authorities continue to focus on preparedness measures as Zimbabwe monitors developments linked to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
