EAC countries to harmonize Ebola surveillance in airports and border posts

The agreement was arrived at during the 8th Extraordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health, which was held virtually from June 1 to June 2, 2026. 

The meeting was convened to review the evolving Ebola situation and provide strategic policy direction for a coordinated regional response.

At the meeting, the ministers resolved to establish a dedicated regional technical taskforce to coordinate the response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. 

The task force is set to be comprised of two technical experts from their health ministries and one from the ministry in charge of EAC affairs.

The ministers raised concern about the need for a collective effort to prevent further cross-border transmission within the region. Further clarifying that partner states need to implement surveillance and control measures at affected areas, points of entry and porous borders in accordance with their national regulations and the World Health Organization guidance.

The proposed EAC Regional Technical taskforce, will be responsible for monitoring the outbreak, coordinating technical interventions, reviewing epidemiological trends and provide regular reports to the Ministers and other policy organs. 

Real-time information sharing was a focus area during the meeting. According to the ministers, faster information sharing would enable them to facilitate early detection of cases and support a coordinated regional response.

According to the CDC, the DRC has reported 363 confirmed cases, 62 confirmed deaths of Ebola Virus. It further reports that there are 15 confirmed cases of Ebola in Uganda and 1 death. 

In an effort to combat Ebola, the Ministers directed partner states to facilitate the deployment of EAC mobile laboratories and technical experts at strategic locations. 

The secretariat was directed to mobilize additional financial and technical resources to support surveillance and response activities.