Preparedness and response to outbreaks in port of entries: A case of Ebola Virus Disease at Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania

Abstract

Background

Preparedness and response to outbreak remain a major means for the prevention and control of outbreaks including

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Although Tanzania has not being seriously hit by EVD in the past few decades, some of

the neighboring countries have been badly hit. The disease is highly contagious and easily transmitted through

human-to-human transmission. Port of entries in countries remains the major point of focus especially when a

neighboring country having an outbreak.

Objective

To explore challenges facing preparedness of port of entries in Tanzania on prevention and control of outbreaks

from the experiences of Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) during the 2018 EVD outbreak in Congo (DRC)

Methods

We conducted nine in-depth interviews with officials from departments of Health, Immigration, Airport Authority

and members of Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Team at JNIA to explore the challenges

facing preparedness and response to EVD. A hybrid thematic analysis was employed for the data analysis.

Findings

Limited EVD information sharing among Emergency Comprehensive Team, inadequacy staff for EVD

preparedness, poor coordination of resources for EVD response, limited capacity building opportunities for staff at

JNIA, inappropriate utilization of isolation place, and limited transport capacity for referral cases were the major

challenges facing preparedness and response for prevention and control of outbreak at JNIA.

Conclusion

Preparedness of EVD at JNIA, the largest international airport in Tanzania faces many challenges. Coordination of

resources, strengthening the communication system for outbreaks and capacity building to staff at port of entries

are recommended initial steps in strengthening preparedness and response to outbreak. This small-scale study calls

for further studies to explore preparedness and response to outbreaks in port of entries in Tanzania.