Health authorities in Tanzania, Uganda, and neighbouring countries have intensified joint surveillance and emergency preparedness measures following a growing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has also spread into Uganda.

Coordinated by the East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC), the initiative focuses on strengthening cross-border cooperation to prevent further transmission of the virus across high-risk entry points.

Key border areas targeted include Tanzania–Uganda, Uganda–Kenya, and Tanzania–Burundi frontiers, where population movement is high and the risk of disease spread is elevated.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, while Africa CDC has also raised continental alert levels due to the rapid spread of infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.

Health officials have introduced digital surveillance systems at Points of Entry, replacing paper-based reporting with real-time monitoring tools that allow faster detection and response to suspected cases.

Uganda has expanded surveillance to 35 official entry points and community monitoring in 44 border districts, while Tanzania has mapped 59 entry points and deployed over 600 port health officers.

Experts from ECSA-HC emphasise that preparedness must be continuous and coordinated, especially given the porous nature of regional borders and frequent movement of people and goods.Recent data from WHO shows hundreds of suspected cases and rising fatalities across the region, highlighting the urgency of stronger coordination.

Authorities stress that only harmonised regional action, improved data sharing, and rapid response systems can effectively contain the outbreak and protect communities across East and Central Africa.