In a proactive move to safeguard national and regional health security, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has successfully supported the government of Zambia in conducting a high-level multi-sectoral simulation exercise to evaluate and strengthen the nation’s Ebola preparedness and response capacity.
The simulation, organized in close coordination with the Zambian Ministry of Health and the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), was designed to evaluate the country’s real-time operational readiness in the event of an outbreak. The drill comes as public health agencies across the continent intensify efforts to build resilient health systems capable of mitigating emerging infectious disease threats before they escalate.
Testing Real-Time Response from Entry to Isolation
The comprehensive exercise meticulously replicated a live emergency scenario, tracking the detection and management of a suspected Ebola case. The drill kicked off with the initial identification of a simulated patient at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and followed the emergency response chain through to the secure transfer and isolation at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
By mirroring a real-world crisis, the exercise successfully put Zambia’s operational protocols to the test, specifically focusing on strengthening coordination, rapid case management, and strict infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Officials noted that testing the handoff between border control and tertiary medical teams is critical to containing highly contagious pathogens at the point of entry.
A Multi-Sectoral Coalition for Health Security
The high-level drill drew widespread participation from vital government sectors and international public health heavyweights, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This collaborative effort allowed agencies to stress-test their inter-operability and communication channels under pressure.
“Africa CDC remains committed to supporting Member States to strengthen preparedness and respond faster to emerging infectious disease threats,” the Africa CDC stated following the successful conclusion of the exercise.
By identifying critical bottlenecks and areas for improvement during peacetime, Zambia and its international partners are better positioned to deploy a swift, synchronized, and effective defense against future biological threats.
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