DAR ES SALAAM, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Kigoma Region has intensified precautionary measures and emergency preparedness to prevent potential outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases following reported health threats in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a medical official said on Tuesday.
Kigoma Regional Medical Officer Damas Kayera said authorities acted swiftly after receiving alerts about a possible Ebola outbreak across the border, given the region's strategic position along Lake Tanganyika.
"As one of Tanzania's border regions, Kigoma has taken critical precautionary measures since receiving information about the Ebola threat in a neighboring country," Kayera said, noting that healthcare workers at all levels have been trained to respond effectively.
He said surveillance has been strengthened at all official entry points in collaboration with immigration authorities, with health personnel equipped with screening tools to assess travelers.
"Suspected cases are isolated and managed in line with national public health guidelines," Kayera added.
He noted that Kigoma has also trained more than 300 healthcare professionals and over 280 community health workers on epidemic preparedness, alongside public awareness campaigns targeting local communities.
According to health officials in the DRC, the Ebola outbreak in the country has now claimed 930 lives out of 2,344 recorded cases as of Saturday. ■