What's Actually Happening
In mid-October 2026, Tanzania tightened health checks at every airport, land border and seaport in the country — thermal cameras, temperature checks, and port health staff watching for symptoms like strong weakness or sweating. The trigger is an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including a case involving someone who had travelled from DR Congo into Kenya. The Tanzania Ministry of Health issued the order (Travel Advisory No. 18), citing the International Health Regulations and the Public Health Act. It applies to every traveller arriving in mainland Tanzania — no nationality is exempt.
The Online Health Declaration — What You Actually Need to Do
Alongside the border screening, Tanzania now requires every incoming traveller to fill in an online health declaration before or on arrival. It takes a few minutes, and once submitted it gives you a QR code or reference number — save it or print it, because port health staff can ask to see it. Fill it in here, directly on the Ministry of Health's own portal:
If you land without having done it, expect to be pulled aside at a medical point at the airport to complete the form and get checked there instead — slower, and not how you want to start a holiday. Do it before you fly.
Is There Actually Ebola in Zanzibar or Tanzania Right Now?
No confirmed case has been reported in the country. Tanzania's Chief Medical Officer said publicly on 21 October 2026 that there is no Ebola in Tanzania — these measures are a precaution because of the outbreak next door, not a response to a local outbreak. Worth knowing before you panic-Google it from the airport lounge.
If You're Flagged as "High-Risk"
Travellers the Ministry considers higher-risk — broadly, anyone with a recent travel history through the outbreak region — can be enrolled in 21 days of monitoring: daily temperature checks and contact by phone, SMS or short symptom surveys, continuing even after you've left the country. The advisory doesn't spell out the exact criteria for "high-risk," so if your itinerary included DR Congo, Uganda or Kenya recently, go in expecting extra questions.
Zanzibar Has Its Own Extra Step
On top of the mainland rules, Zanzibar's own Ministry of Health (Travel Advisory No. 13, 9 October 2026) runs a separate screening form specifically for anyone arriving from or via DR Congo, Uganda or Kenya. If that's part of your route, fill in the mainland declaration above and be ready for this Zanzibar-side check too. If you feel unwell at any point during your stay, Zanzibar's toll-free health line is 199.
While You're Sorting Paperwork: Don't Forget Visa & Insurance
The health declaration is new, but it sits alongside two entry requirements that were already in place and are easy to miss if you're focused on the Ebola headlines. You still need a Tanzania e-visa arranged online before you fly — visa on arrival isn't available any more — and you still need Zanzibar's mandatory $44 inbound travel insurance, bought before or on arrival. Neither is related to the Ebola measures, but all three now land on your to-do list at the same time.
Quick Checklist Before You Fly
Tanzania e-visa sorted. Zanzibar's $44 insurance bought. Health declaration filled in at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz, QR code saved or printed. If your route touched DR Congo, Uganda or Kenya, budget extra time at immigration for additional screening. None of this should hold up a well-prepared traveller by more than a few minutes — it's the unprepared ones who get sent to the medical point.