DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's western region of Kigoma, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) across Lake Tanganyika, said on Monday it has strengthened its surveillance and alert systems against the deadly Ebola following a recent warning by the World Health Organization (WHO).
"We are on high alert 24 hours a day and seven days a week," said Paul Chaote, Kigoma regional medical officer.
Chaote said 14 Ebola treatment centers or temporary Ebola holding centers have been created in the region.
Kigoma regional authorities undertook these measures following advice by the WHO to countries sharing a border with DR Congo to urgently strengthen their surveillance and alert systems for early detection of Ebola, and timely and effective response.
According to WHO, as of January 15, there had been 663 cases of Ebola, including 407 deaths in the DR Congo.
"Screening at five entry points of Kigoma airport, Kigoma port, and Manyovu and Mabamba borders is ongoing," Chaote told Xinhua in an email.
He said laboratory personnel have been trained on safety procedures and specimen collection, packaging, labelling and transportation.
Chaote added that 391 health workers have been trained on Ebola case management, sample collection and transportation.
