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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation have inaugurated a joint continental preparedness and response plan to tackle the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, the organisations announced on Friday.
The six-month plan seeks to mobilise $518 million to help African countries and partners strengthen preparedness, early detection and rapid response measures, according to a joint statement.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said the plan, covering June to November, brings together governments, partners and communities under a unified “One Response” approach to reinforce outbreak response efforts across Africa.
“It includes emergency coordination and disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and support for essential health services,” Ghebreyesus said.
The plan complements national response strategies already activated by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where authorities are intensifying operations with support from the Africa CDC, WHO and partners, Ghebreyesus said.
“Implementation is already underway in affected and at-risk countries, with critical measures being strengthened in 10 priority countries for early detection and rapid response,” he added.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya emphasised the importance of collective action and urgency in containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission.
“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,” Kaseya said.
He said the strategy places communities at the centre of response efforts, recognising that trust and participation remain essential for effective contact tracing, safe care practices and halting transmission.
With no licensed vaccines or therapeutics currently approved for the Bundibugyo strain, the plan focuses on strengthening health systems to maintain resilience during the emergency, Kaseya said.
It also stresses continued support for concurrent health threats, including mpox, cholera, and measles, to avoid disruptions to routine care,’ he added.
The organisations urged member states to strengthen screening at points of entry and enhance cross-border coordination to reduce the risk of further spread and improve regional preparedness efforts.
“It also prioritises protection for vulnerable populations and stronger cross-border collaboration to catch new cases quickly.
“With no licensed vaccines or therapeutics currently approved for the Bundibugyo strain, the plan focuses on strengthening health systems to maintain resilience during the emergency.
“It also stresses continued support for concurrent health threats including mpox, cholera and measles to avoid disruptions to routine care,” he said.
