Africa CDC, WHO launch $518m Ebola response plan for Africa

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By Sola Ogundipe

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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have unveiled a joint continental preparedness and response plan to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.

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The six-month initiative, running from June to November 2026, seeks to mobilise $518 million to support African countries in strengthening preparedness, enhancing early detection and mounting rapid responses to the outbreak.

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Built around a unified “One Response” framework, the strategy brings together governments, development partners and communities to reinforce critical aspects of outbreak management, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and the continuity of essential health services.

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The continental plan complements national response strategies already launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

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Speaking on the initiative, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stressed that success would depend on strong coordination among countries and partners.

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“The only way to beat this outbreak is through close partnership, working together under the leadership of the affected countries in one coordinated effort, guided by a simple principle: one plan, one budget, one team,” he said.

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Tedros noted that containing Ebola requires political commitment, sustained financing and active community participation.

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“Containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing, and the trust and engagement of communities. This plan places communities at the centre, because without their participation, contact tracing falters, safe care is delayed, and transmission continues.”

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Also speaking, Jean Kaseya said the continent must act swiftly to contain the outbreak.

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“Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster. This joint plan gives the continent a clear path to act with speed and unity: to save lives, support the affected countries and protect neighbouring communities. With Member States, WHO and partners, Africa CDC is turning commitment into action and resources into response for the communities at risk,” he said.

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Beyond immediate outbreak control, the plan prioritises the protection of vulnerable populations, stronger cross-border cooperation and rapid response mechanisms for emerging cases. Officials said African countries would pool expertise, resources and technical capacity to strengthen response efforts and protect communities across the region.

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The strategy also draws on lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks and other public health emergencies to bolster Africa’s long-term capacity to prevent, detect and respond to future health threats while safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

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With no licensed vaccines or therapeutics currently approved specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, the plan places significant emphasis on strengthening health systems to ensure they remain resilient during public health emergencies.

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Preparedness and response activities are already underway in affected and at-risk countries, while 10 priority nations are intensifying surveillance, emergency preparedness and rapid response measures.

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The initiative also highlights the need to sustain efforts against other major health threats, including mpox, cholera and measles, with health leaders warning that continued support for ongoing response programmes is essential to maintaining public health gains.

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The coordinated response comes as operations continue to scale up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where authorities, supported by Africa CDC, WHO and other partners, are intensifying measures to halt transmission and end the outbreak.

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Member States have also been urged to strengthen screening and other public health measures at points of entry, while enhancing cross-border coordination and regional solidarity to support a timely, effective and evidence-based response.

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