The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have jointly launched a continental preparedness and response plan to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus. This comprehensive six-month plan, spanning from June to November 2026, aims to secure US$ 518 million. The funding is critical to support African countries and their partners in preparing for, rapidly detecting, and effectively responding to the outbreak.

Operating under a unified 'One Response' approach, the plan brings together governments, partners, and communities to bolster various outbreak response measures. These include enhancing emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing capabilities, infection prevention and control, and clinical care. Furthermore, it emphasizes robust community engagement, research initiatives, logistics support, and the maintenance of essential health services. This joint effort complements existing national response plans already initiated by the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stressed the importance of collaboration, stating, "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 highlighted that containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing, and the trust and engagement of communities, positioning communities at the center of the response. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, echoed this urgency, declaring, "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."

The plan also places significant focus on protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening cross-border collaboration, and enabling countries to respond swiftly to new cases. Critically, given the absence of licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, the plan aims to strengthen broader health systems to ensure their resilience, even while countries are grappling with acute health emergencies.

Implementation of preparedness and response activities is already in progress across affected and at-risk countries, with critical measures being reinforced in 10 priority nations to enhance public health emergency preparedness and ensure early detection and swift action. The plan also underscores the necessity of maintaining support for other ongoing health emergencies, such as mpox, cholera, and measles, to prevent any disruptions to vital response efforts and safeguard progress towards building stronger, more resilient health systems across the continent.

This coordinated continental effort is vital as response operations accelerate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where authorities, with the support of Africa CDC, WHO, and partners, are intensifying efforts to curb the spread of the virus and bring the outbreak to an end. Africa CDC and WHO urge all Member States to enhance screening and public health measures at points of entry and to strengthen cross-border coordination and solidarity for a timely, effective, and evidence-based response. By mobilizing its collective expertise and resources through this joint plan, the continent is reinforcing its response measures, acting as one to control the outbreak and protect communities. Its successful execution will require unwavering political commitment, sustained investment, and close collaboration among governments, health workers, communities, and partners. Drawing on invaluable lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks and recent public health emergencies, the plan also provides a clear pathway to broadly strengthen Africa's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to future health threats, thereby safeguarding lives and livelihoods.