Eswatini strengthens disease surveillance amid ebola threat
The Ministry of Health is using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy to prepare for outbreaks.
Eswatini is enhancing its public health systems to detect and manage disease outbreaks, including the threat of ebola. Nkosinathi Dlamini from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit (EDCU) stated this during a workshop in Manzini.
Dlamini explained that the country employs the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy to identify, report, and respond to priority diseases. This strategy involves case identification, reporting, data analysis, and investigations, utilizing both Indicator-Based Surveillance and Event-Based Surveillance.
The IDSR strategy aligns with Eswatini's obligations under the International Health Regulations (IHR) for public health emergency preparedness. Dlamini emphasized the need for community communication as part of these preparedness efforts.
Why it mattersEswatini's population is at risk of public health emergencies, including ebola, and the government is preparing to respond.