Feature Stories

The East African Community (EAC) Rapidly Deployable Experts (RDE) Pool is emerging as a central pillar in strengthening health workforce development and regional health security in East Africa. Established with support from the German Government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the PanPrep Project, the RDE Pool is a structured database and deployment system of trained public health and emergency professionals drawn from across EAC Partner States. It enables rapid, cross-border mobilisation of expertise in response to outbreaks such as Mpox, anthrax, Ebola and Marburg Virus Disease, while also investing in long-term workforce development.

Beyond emergency deployments, the RDE Pool functions as a continuous professional development platform. It supports experts throughout recruitment, training, deployment and post-deployment learning, building institutional memory and harmonised regional standards. Anchored in a One Health approach, the mechanism integrates human, animal and environmental health professionals, fostering a multidisciplinary and coordinated response to complex disease threats that frequently cross borders within the region.

A key example of its impact was the Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) and Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative conducted in Entebbe, Uganda, in late 2025. Experts from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda collaborated using the WHO Tripartite JRA framework to assess anthrax risks and develop mitigation measures. In parallel, over 100 frontline professionals were trained in infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management, risk communication and outbreak coordination, with RDE members serving as both trainers and trainees to ensure national-level cascade training.

The RDE Pool has also played a critical role in IPC capacity-building during recent outbreaks. Regional trainings in Mwanza, Tanzania, and Lodwar, Kenya, strengthened preparedness for Marburg Virus Disease and Mpox, bringing together health workers from multiple countries and institutions. Through partnerships with organizations such as Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), WHO and other technical partners, the RDE platform enhances interoperability, trust and speed of response across borders.

Overall, the RDE Pool represents a strategic regional asset for health security. By investing in a skilled, mobile and harmonised workforce before crises occur, the EAC is not only improving outbreak response but also building a resilient, future-ready regional health system. As infectious disease threats continue to transcend national boundaries, the RDE mechanism demonstrates how regional cooperation can translate into practical, people-centred solutions that protect health and strengthen preparedness across East Africa.

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Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) after laboratory tests identified the deadly virus in samples from patients in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State—an area with active movement and trade links to Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The location of the outbreak and high mobility across borders pose a heightened risk of cross-border transmission into neighbouring East African Community (EAC) Partner States, prompting regional health authorities to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) first announced suspected viral haemorrhagic fever on 12 November, before confirming the outbreak two days later.

According to WHO, as of 20 November, 33 laboratory tests have been conducted, with six cases confirmed positive for Marburg virus. Three of the confirmed patients have died, while three others remain alive and are receiving treatment. In addition, three epidemiologically linked individuals who could not be tested have died and are classified as probable cases. A total of 206 contacts have been identified, and follow-up efforts are ongoing as the situation evolves.

Early clinical reports indicate that patients have presented with high fever, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and watery or bloody diarrhoea. Five patients exhibited haemorrhagic symptoms such as nosebleeds and vomiting blood—signs consistent with multi-organ failure often seen in severe Marburg infections.

Initial investigations by Ethiopia’s One Health teams have detected the presence of fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), the natural reservoir of Marburg virus, in the affected area. However, the precise source of the outbreak is yet to be determined. Health authorities are racing to contain the spread of the disease. WHO is supporting national response teams on surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory strengthening, case management, IPC and RCCE. 

Regional implications: Heightened vigilance required for EAC border regions

Jinka town lies within a major mobility corridor connecting Ethiopia to Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda, with regular cross-border travel by traders, pastoralist communities and transport operators. This proximity increases the risk of undetected spread into EAC Partner States, particularly regions historically vulnerable to viral haemorrhagic fevers.

The EAC Secretariat, working with Partner States, Africa CDC and WHO, is expected to strengthen:

• Surveillance at points of entry, including border posts and informal crossing points
• Community-based surveillance in cross-border districts
• Information sharing and rapid alerts through existing EAC cross-border health platforms
• Preparedness and readiness measures, including pre-positioning of PPE and activation of national rapid response teams

Past outbreaks in the region have demonstrated that a single imported case—if undetected—can rapidly escalate. The current Marburg situation in Ethiopia underscores the need for coordinated regional preparedness.

About Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness caused by the Marburg and Ravn viruses, close relatives of the Ebola virus. It spreads among humans through direct contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces or infected materials. Healthcare workers, caregivers and those involved in burial practices are at particularly high risk without strict adherence to IPC measures.

Symptoms typically appear suddenly between two and 21 days after exposure and progress from high fever and malaise to severe gastrointestinal distress. Many patients experience bleeding from multiple sites and may succumb to shock and organ failure within a week. While there are no approved treatments or vaccines, early and aggressive supportive care can significantly improve survival.

Globally, Marburg virus disease has been reported in 19 previous outbreaks, most recently in Tanzania between January and March 2025. Past outbreaks in the African region have occurred in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.

WHO currently assesses the risk of the Ethiopia outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low globally. Samples from Ethiopia will be shared with international reference laboratories for further confirmation and comparison.

Read more: 

WHO Marburg virus disease - Ethiopia

Outbreak linked to climate change also what can we learn from Rwanda outbreak

Ministry of Health Ethiopia Press Release

The recent containment of the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania highlights how years of pandemic preparedness efforts in East Africa are paying off. In March 2023, when Tanzania reported its first-ever Marburg outbreak in Bukoba, near the borders with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, the risk of cross-border spread was high. However, the East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with German development partners GIZ and KfW, was able to apply lessons learned from previous crises, including Ebola and COVID-19, to respond quickly and effectively. Crisis communication structures, rapid coordination with WHO, and immediate engagement of regional experts helped set the stage for a strong response.

Key measures included the rapid deployment of protective equipment, trained African Health Volunteers Corps members, and mobile laboratories that allowed for real-time testing near the outbreak site. These resources, funded through regional cooperation projects, drastically reduced diagnostic delays and enabled health authorities to act faster. Additionally, years of simulation exercises, cross-border outbreak drills, and workforce training meant that local health workers were better equipped to handle containment, patient care, and community engagement efforts. These preparations helped address both medical and social challenges, such as misinformation and stigma, often linked to haemorrhagic fevers.

Ultimately, Tanzania declared the outbreak over in less than three months, with only nine cases recorded. The success demonstrates the value of regional preparedness strategies, coordination across sectors, and international cooperation. Moving forward, Germany’s support continues through initiatives like establishing a regional pool of deployable experts, enhancing cooperation with Africa CDC and WHO, and strengthening long-term resilience in health security across East Africa.

Full article here: https://health.bmz.de/stories/how-its-pandemic-preparedness-helped-tanzania-to-successfully-control-a-marburg-outbreak/ 

Based on article from Medical News Today

Measles, a highly contagious airborne viral disease, is resurging globally and poses serious risks to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and travelers. Because the virus can linger in enclosed spaces like buses, planes, and trains, travelers are at heightened risk, especially during outbreaks.

Experts Dr. Monica Gandhi (UCSF) and Dr. David Cutler (Providence Saint John’s Health Center) emphasize that vaccination is the most effective prevention tool. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine offers long-term immunity after two doses. Infants aged 6–11 months should get an early dose before travel, while unvaccinated teens and adults should receive two doses 28 days apart. Travelers should carry proof of vaccination and ideally receive it at least two weeks before departure.

Additional protective measures include:

i. Wearing N95 or KN95 masks in enclosed or crowded places.

ii. Practicing hand hygiene and avoiding face-touching.

iii. Ensuring ventilation, such as sitting near open windows on buses or trains.

If exposed, people should monitor for symptoms like fever, rash, and red eyes (usually appearing 7–14 days after exposure), isolate immediately, wear a mask, and seek medical attention. Supportive treatment includes rest, fluids, and fever management. In some cases, Vitamin A supplements can reduce severity. Post-exposure strategies include vaccination within 72 hours or administration of immune globulin for high-risk individuals (e.g., infants, pregnant women).

Beyond the acute phase, measles can cause long-term complications, including:

i. Immune amnesia, weakening the body’s defense against other infections.

ii. Neurological issues, such as encephalitis.

iii. Respiratory complications and possible fertility problems.

Health experts stress vigilance, early protection, and responsible travel practices to curb further spread.

Read full article here .

Mpox has spread along the Busia-Malaba border that links eastern Uganda and western Kenya, with risk factors centred on cross-border mobility. Community responses to Mpox are shaped by access to information on radio, television and social media as well as local terminologies, understandings of disease etiology, spiritual and religious beliefs, household structures and cross-border mobility patterns. Despite vaccine allocations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the response has been hindered by resource constraints, mistrust and cross-border challenges. This brief published on the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform summarises findings on how Mpox is perceived and managed in the Busia-Malaba border region. It draws on a rapid review of qualitative data, local media, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and academic reports, and cultural histories based on long-term research in the region. Read more here  .

African countries like Uganda and South Africa are rewriting the rules of emergency response. The rest of the world must follow – or fall behind.

As global health faces rising threats from pandemics, climate change, and conflict, African countries like Uganda and South Africa are offering critical lessons by integrating immunisation into broader emergency preparedness systems. Immunisation must be seen not merely as a tool to prevent disease, but as foundational infrastructure for pandemic preparedness and response (PPR). With trusted community networks, robust cold chain logistics, and real-time data systems, immunisation programmes are uniquely positioned to serve as early warning and rapid response mechanisms.

Uganda and South Africa exemplify this shift. Uganda leveraged its immunisation system during COVID-19 to enhance surveillance, contact tracing, and vaccine rollout—proving the value of integrating health security with routine services. South Africa adopted a whole-of-government approach, aligning its vaccination efforts with disaster management strategies and digital health platforms. These examples show that when countries treat immunisation as core public infrastructure, they build more resilient and responsive health systems.

Yet global frameworks still largely treat immunisation as a siloed vertical rather than a pillar of health security. As the World Health Assembly prepares to discuss the Pandemic Accord, there’s a risk of missing a pivotal opportunity to embed vaccines in the heart of preparedness planning. Delivering on the WHO’s Immunisation Agenda 2030 requires political will, integrated financing, and community leadership. Africa is showing the way—now the world must follow.

Read full article from Health Policy Watch 

Healthcare professionals from across the EAC Partner States recently convened in Mwanza, Tanzania, for an intensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training. Organised by the EAC Secretariat through the GIZ-supported Pandemic Preparedness Project, the training aimed to enhance regional capacity to respond to outbreaks in Marburg, Ebola, and Mpox.

The training was initiated following a request from Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) for emergency support in response to the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak. Over 60 healthcare professionals from FBO-based health facilities, along with health experts from the Ministries of Health in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, participated in the programme, which was conducted in collaboration with the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) and Africa CDC.

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In a significant milestone in Uganda's fight against the Ebola Sudan virus, all eight patients who had been hospitalized for treatment have been discharged after testing negative twice for the virus in tests conducted 72 hours apart. The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for Africa has confirmed this development, describing it as an important step in controlling the outbreak.

The patients had been receiving treatment in the capital city, Kampala, and in Mbale. Despite their discharge, health officials continue to monitor 216 to 265 individuals who remain in quarantine due to potential exposure. Uganda’s Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, confirmed the recovery of the eight patients and urged communities to welcome them without stigma.  If no new cases are confirmed in the next 42 days, the outbreak can be declared over.
 

A lower fatality rate compared to previous outbreaks

The outbreak, which began in late January, marked Uganda’s first Ebola Sudan outbreak since 2022 and the world's ninth recorded instance of the virus. Historically, Uganda has experienced eight Ebola outbreaks since the first recorded case in 2000.

The outbreak has resulted in a total of nine cases and one death, which involved the index patient, a 32-year-old male nurse who worked at a referral hospital in Kampala. The case-fatality rate (CFR) stands at 11.1%, significantly lower than previous outbreaks, where the CFR ranged between 41% and 100%.

The Sudan strain of the Ebola virus is a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine for the Sudan strain. However, Uganda responded swiftly to the outbreak by launching a trial of a candidate Ebola Sudan vaccine earlier this month.

Swift response from health authorities and partners

Uganda’s response to the outbreak has been supported by various health organizations, including the WHO, which deployed 47 experts and delivered seven tons of emergency medical supplies to aid the country’s efforts. WHO Representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, emphasized that while the discharge of the patients is a positive development, efforts to completely halt the outbreak are ongoing.

The WHO reiterated that the Sudan strain of Ebola is severe, typically killing at least 40% of those infected, making the lower fatality rate in this outbreak a notable success.

Sources:

WHO: Uganda discharges all eight Ebola disease patients 

CIDRAP: Remaining patients discharged in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak

BBC: Uganda discharges Ebola patients

New Vision: Uganda discharges all eight Ebola patients, health minister says

Daily Monitor: Joy as 8 Ebola patients are discharged

About Ebola

Ebola: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and control

The Tanzania government plans to establish a specialized centre for epidemic disease management in Kagera, northwestern Tanzania, equipped with all essential laboratory facilities for testing high-risk pathogens. Additionally, a healthcare facility will be constructed to enhance access to medical services.

This was revealed on January 29, 2025, by the country’s Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Godwin Mollel, during his visit to the office of Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hon. Fatma Mwassa, to commend the efforts in controlling the Marburg virus outbreak in Biharamulo District, which the government says has now been contained. With two confirmed cases and 18 suspected cases reported, this marks Tanzania's second encounter with the deadly virus since the 2023 outbreak in the same region.

Dr. Mollel stated that the government recognizes the need for such a centre in Kagera due to its geographical location, as the region borders four neighbouring countries, making it vulnerable to epidemic outbreaks due to cross-border interactions.

Speaking about the healthcare facility construction, he confirmed that funds have already been allocated, and Kagera is among the priority regions. The government's current focus is on strengthening primary healthcare services.

"We need to improve our border health systems, including ensuring that we have committed personnel at all times," said Dr. Mollel. Additionally, he emphasized that the government will ensure that regional security and defense committees receive specialized health training, as they play a crucial role during public health emergencies.

Meanwhile, the minister directed the Medical Stores Department (MSD) to provide regional and district commissioners with copies of medicine distribution reports for hospitals in their respective areas to enhance accountability and monitoring.

He explained that under the current system, medical supplies are directly delivered to hospitals, making it difficult for regional or district leaders to verify medicine shortages when they arise.

 For her part, Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hon. Fatma Mwassa, expressed gratitude to the President of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for the swift response in allocating funds to combat the Marburg virus outbreak in the region. She urged the Ministry of Health to continue strengthening the capacity of security and defence committees, border personnel, and staff at the Bukoba and Kemondo ports to ensure efficient response during epidemic outbreaks.

Also available here: https://x.com/wizara_afyatz/status/1884658104198963472

Also read: Open configuration options

Two deaths reported as Tanzania strengthens response to Marburg outbreak

 https://rcc.eac.int/node/158 

As Tanzania grapples with Marburg Virus outbreak: What you need to know

https://rcc.eac.int/node/153 

The Government of Tanzania has intensified efforts to combat the Marburg virus outbreak, which has already claimed two lives since its declaration on January 19, 2025, by Tanzania’s President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan in Biharamulo, Kagera region.

Director of Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, announced on January 24, 2025, that measures include deploying expert teams in the area to provide treatment, raise public awareness about prevention, and identify symptoms. Alongside the two deaths, 15 suspected cases have been reported, with 281 contacts under observation.

Dr. Kapologwe revealed that 191 community health workers have been trained to serve all 10,893 households in Biharamulo District. Testing facilities, medicines, and 13 isolation centers with 64 health workers have been established. “We emphasize following health guidelines, providing accurate information, and combating misinformation,” he noted.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Grace Magembe commended the experts’ efforts during her visit to Biharamulo, stressing the importance of public education for prevention and urging health workers to use protective gear.

During her January 25 visit to the Mobile Community Health Laboratory in Misenyi, Dr. Magembe acknowledged the support of health sector partners and outlined the government’s Marburg response plan. Priority areas include research, laboratories, sanitation facilities, transportation, treatment, and border control. 

Speaking on behalf of the WHO, Dr. Dick Chamla lauded Tanzania’s proactive use of local resources. Partners like WHO, MDH, MSF, CDC Tanzania, UNICEF, and the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation have joined the response. Dr. Magembe affirmed, “Our goal is to eradicate this disease entirely. Let’s collaborate, and we assure you that resources will be used effectively.”

On January 26, she inspected the Kagera Regional Referral Hospital, expressing satisfaction with specialist care improvements that have eased the burden on local residents.

Read more:

As Tanzania grapples with Marburg Virus outbreak: What you need to know https://rcc.eac.int/node/153 

More photos: https://x.com/wizara_afyatz/status/1883489296700584205 and  https://x.com/wizara_afyatz/status/1883568102761288149