BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Tanzania has strengthened health surveillance at its borders following confirmed Ebola infections in neighbouring Kenya, with additional travel-history checks reported at Namanga and the Horohoro–Lunga Lunga crossing on the Tanga–Mombasa route.
National measures introduced on October 17 included mandatory health declarations, temperature screening, sanitation and 21-day monitoring of travellers assessed as being at high risk of infection.
According to the Health Ministry, Tanzania has not reported an Ebola outbreak. media reports indicate that the ministry has mobilised more than 500 medical personnel, alongside screening equipment and other supplies, to strengthen surveillance at entry points.
BORDER POSTS TIGHTEN EBOLA CHECKS
The Arusha Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Alex Massawe, also assured The Arusha News that the region was so far completely safe.
In Tanga, a ministry update highlighted cross-border movement through Horohoro–Lunga Lunga as a key reason for strengthening preparedness. Public Health Education Coordinator, Dr Francis Marwa, emphasised the importance of early preparations.
In Kilimanjaro Region, Health Minister, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, directed officials at the Holili and Tarakea border posts to intensify traveller screening during a recent visit to Rombo District. The heightened precautions come as Kenya recorded nine confirmed Ebola cases and two deaths by October 23. According to Kenya’s Health Cabinet, Mr Aden Duale, as of October 26, 2026, Kenya had 98 people under observation in quarantine for possible Ebola exposure, while 20 had been released after completing 21 days of monitoring without developing symptoms. The country had recorded nine confirmed Ebola cases, including two deaths, with the remaining seven patients stable and receiving treatment. Those released were symptom-free contacts, rather than recovered Ebola patients.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicentre of the outbreak, which began in May. By October 23, the country had recorded 9,816 confirmed infections and 4,757 deaths, according to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC figures also showed that Uganda had recorded 20 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths, while Nigeria had reported one confirmed case and no deaths.
Meanwhile, the East African Community (EAC), headquartered in Arusha, has mobilised regional resources to support containment efforts and strengthen preparedness across its partner states.
“The EAC has mobilised available resources to support the response to the Ebola outbreak,” EAC Secretary General, Amb Stephen Mbundi, told The Arusha News.
According to media reports, Germany has offered a support package totalling €8.0 million, comprising €5.0 million to strengthen regional health capacity and an additional €3.0 million for the Ebola response.
German-supported programmes have also helped train laboratory experts and deploy 10 mobile laboratories across EAC partner states. A further 80 front line specialists have received training on managing Ebola and other highly infectious diseases, according to the EAC.
Tanzanian health authorities have urged travellers to cooperate with screening teams and report suspected symptoms promptly to the nearest health facility or border health officials or through the toll-free number 199.
