Africa CDC and WHO Launch Joint Continental Ebola Response Plan
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly launched a six-month continental preparedness and response plan for the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The plan, covering June to November 2026, aims to raise US$ 518 million to support African countries in preparing for, detecting, and responding to the outbreak under a unified ‘One Response’ approach. It complements national response plans already launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The plan emphasizes emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics, and support for essential health services. Both WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya stressed the need for partnership, political commitment, sustained financing, and community trust. At a time when no licensed vaccines or therapeutics are specifically approved for the Bundibugyo Ebola species, the plan aims to strengthen health systems and ensure resilience. Implementation is already underway in affected and at-risk countries, including critical measures in 10 priority countries, while the plan also seeks to maintain support for other ongoing health emergencies like mpox, cholera, and measles.
What’s reported
The plan is a joint continental preparedness and response plan for the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
It aims to raise US$ 518 million and covers June to November 2026.
The plan complements national response plans by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
It uses a unified ‘One Response’ approach with governments, partners, and communities.
There are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.
Implementation is already underway in affected and at-risk countries, with critical measures being strengthened in 10 priority countries.
The plan emphasizes maintaining support for other ongoing health emergencies, including mpox, cholera, and measles.
Key figures
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC
Sources: World Health Organization
