By MONICA KAYOMBO, Zambia,Lusaka
ZAMBIAN Government has heightened surveillance and preparedness measures against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following a growing regional outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda.
Although the travel advisory was signed on June 15, 2026, by the Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), it was only officially issued to the public on June yesterday.
The advisory warns that Zambia faces a high risk of importing Ebola cases because of its extensive cross-border movements with neighbouring countries, particularly through busy border points such as Kasumbalesa, on Copperbelt, Kipushi in the Katanga Province of the DRC and Chembe in Luapula Province.
Despite the heightened risk, authorities have emphasized that Zambia has never recorded a confirmed EVDcase and currently has no reported cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
According to the advisory, health authorities have strengthened screening measures at land borders, ports and airports. Travellers may encounter temperature checks, health questionnaires and other surveillance measures aimed at detecting possible cases early.
Authorities have also enhanced surveillance in the Copperbelt, Luapula and North-Western provinces, areas considered vulnerable because of their proximity to major cross-border routes.
The alert comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor a major outbreak of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus in eastern DRC and Uganda.
WHO has assessed the risk as very high within the affected areas and high for neighbouring countries sharing borders with affected nations due to significant cross-border trade, mining activities and population movements.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, 2026, after health authorities in DRC and Uganda confirmed cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. WHO subsequently classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of mid-June, hundreds of confirmed cases and more than a hundred deaths had been recorded in the affected countries, with health officials warning that transmission remains active.
Recent reports indicate that the outbreak has continued to grow, with the DRC reporting nearly 900 confirmed cases and more than 200 deaths by June 18.
Uganda has also recorded imported cases linked to travel from the DRC.
Public health experts say Zambia remains vulnerable because of frequent movement of traders, truck drivers, miners and other travellers between Zambia and the DRC.
The Kasumbalesa border post, one of the busiest crossings in southern Africa, handles thousands of people and vehicles every day, increasing the possibility of disease importation if vigilance is not maintained.
The travel advisory urges citizens to postpone non-essential travel to areas experiencing active Ebola transmission.
It further advises anyone who has travelled to affected areas or had contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient to monitor their health for 21 days and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.
Ebola symptoms typically appear between three and 21 days after exposure and may include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue and sore throat.
More severe symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding.
Health authorities have also reminded the public that there is currently no licensed vaccine or standard treatment specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Management of cases mainly relies on supportive medical care and strict infection prevention measures.
The Ministry of Health and ZNPHI say they will continue monitoring developments in the region and update the advisory as the epidemiological situation evolves.
ZNPHI Director General Prof. Roma Chilengi
