Harare, 28 Aug. 2014: This was said by the Honorable Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa, in a press conference he held with the WHO Representative for Zimbabwe, Dr  David Okello. 

Dr Parirenyatwa emphasised that Zimbabwe has no cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and urged  the media to allay the fears of the public. He, however, said that the risk of EVD spreading in the  SADC region had increased significantly with the  confirmation of cases in the Democratic Republic  of Congo (DRC). “We need  to be extra vigilant at our borders because of the long distance trucks that come from DRC and pass through our borders if we are to prevent EVD from coming into Zimbabwe.” said Dr Parirenyatwa. 

He said the Ministry of Health and Child Care has put in place screening teams and trained health workers to manage suspected cases at all ports of entry. The screening teams were trained to  detect, isolate and trace all suspected cases and travellers from affected countries. Isolation centres to house infected people were set up in Harare, Bulawayo and Hwange, and efforts are on-going to have more centres set up in all provinces.  Dr Parirenyatwa acknowledged support from partners who have partnered with his Ministry to strengthen preparedness efforts. He said the country’s preparedness efforts were boosted by partners who have supported with Personal Protective Equipment kits, specialised ambulances to transport suspected cases, courier services to transport specimens for laboratory confirmation, and allowances for health screening teams at ports of entry. Dr Parirenyatwa also said Government has set up a national EVD taskforce to monitor the spread of the deadly epidemic. He said the goal of the inter-ministerial taskforce comprising the Ministries of Health and Child Care, Transport and Infrastructural Development, Home Affairs, and Tourism and Hospitality Industry was to support global efforts to contain the spread of the disease and provide a co-ordinated national and international response for the travel and tourism sector. Dr  Parirenyatwa said the taskforce will learn from countries that have already been affected and are dealing with the epidemic.

In a statement, the WHO Representative, Dr David Okello, implored the media to disseminate correct information to the public and quell the epidemic of panic that has gripped the nation. He also said WHO is advising the Government on actions to take in accordance with the WHO International Health Regulations (2005), which provides recommendations for the control of international spread of disease across borders.  Dr Okello assured the Government that WHO remained committed to supporting the development and implementation of the key measures; particularly infection prevention and control , community awareness, surveillance, accurate laboratory diagnostic testing;  and in case of an outbreak, contact tracing and monitoring, case management, and communication of timely and accurate information.

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SAMUNDERU-JULIAS Wendy

Email: juliasw [at] who.int (juliasw[at]who[dot]int)