The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO) and launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan on the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, WHO said.
It said, the target is to raise “US$518 million”, which will be used to support African countries in the fight against Ebola.
According to who.int:
The plan aims to raise US$ 518 million to support African countries together with partners to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak.
The six-month plan, covering June to November 2026, brings together governments, partners and communities under a unified ‘One Response’ approach to strengthen outbreak response measures,
including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and support for essential health services.
The plan is an addition to the national response plan launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, said, through “close partnership and one plan”, Ebola will be defeated.
The WHO DG, said: “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, with the plan, communities become the focus, adding, their “participation” is essential to ensure contacts are traced, safe care is not delayed, and the spread of the disease is halted.
Ghebreyesus added: “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.”
Also, the plan will help ensure support for other diseases such as, Monkey Pox (mpox), measles and more. Interruptions to crucial response efforts will also be prevented by the plan, as well as, bringing about “more resilient” health systems.
According to who.int:
The plan emphasizes the need to maintain support for other ongoing health emergencies, including mpox, cholera and measles, to prevent disruptions to critical response efforts and safeguard progress towards stronger, more resilient health systems.
Photo: WHO DG, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
