The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a joint Ebola response plan aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to contain the ongoing outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. The six-month initiative, which will run from June to November 2026, seeks to mobilise $518 million to support preparedness, disease surveillance, early detection, and rapid response efforts across the continent. Officials said the Ebola response plan is designed to coordinate action among governments, development partners, and communities under a unified framework.
The new continental strategy comes as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent the further spread of Ebola linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain. The outbreak has prompted heightened public health vigilance across several African countries, particularly those considered vulnerable to cross-border transmission.
According to Africa CDC and WHO, the initiative complements national response measures already being implemented by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The organisations said a coordinated continental approach is necessary to strengthen preparedness and improve response capacity beyond affected countries.
The plan is built around a unified “One Response” framework intended to align resources, technical expertise, and operational activities under a common strategy.
Under the Ebola response plan, participating countries will receive support across several critical areas of outbreak management, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, logistics, research, community engagement, and the continuity of essential health services.
The initiative also seeks to improve rapid response capabilities and ensure that health systems can continue providing routine services while responding to Ebola-related emergencies. Speaking on the launch, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressed the importance of coordinated action among countries and development partners.
“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.
Tedros noted that controlling Ebola requires more than medical interventions alone.
“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.”
The Director-General highlighted the importance of community involvement in disease surveillance, public awareness, and response efforts, noting that local participation remains a critical factor in controlling outbreaks. Also speaking, Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, called for urgent continental action to prevent the outbreak from escalating.
“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.”
He added: “With Member States, WHO and partners, Africa CDC is turning commitment into action and resources into response for the communities at risk.”
The launch of the Ebola response plan reflects growing efforts by African health institutions to strengthen regional preparedness against infectious disease threats. By coordinating funding, technical support, and operational resources, the initiative aims to improve outbreak containment while protecting vulnerable populations and neighbouring countries.
The strategy also underscores the importance of sustained financing, cross-border collaboration, and community engagement in responding to public health emergencies.
