ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA / MENA Newswire / — Africa’s top public health body and the World Health Organization launched a $518 million Ebola response plan on June 5, as health authorities worked to contain a Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The plan covers June through November 2026 and supports African countries in preparing for, detecting and responding to the disease.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization said the joint plan uses a single continental framework for emergency coordination, surveillance, lab testing, infection control, clinical care, community work, research, logistics and core health services. The plan also supports national response plans already launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. At that time, the World Health Organization said Bundibugyo Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda met the criteria for that designation. The agency also said the event did not meet the definition of a pandemic emergency under international health rules.
Response plan targets outbreak control
The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 452 confirmed cases and 82 confirmed deaths as of June 5, after 71 new cases were confirmed in 24 hours. The outbreak remained concentrated mainly in Ituri province, with cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. Uganda reported cases linked to the same Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak.
The six month plan focuses on affected and at risk countries. It includes stronger disease surveillance, more laboratory capacity, safer clinical care and wider community engagement. It also calls for screening and public health measures at points of entry, along with closer cross border coordination among member states. Health officials said these steps support early detection and rapid response.
Funding needs remain central
The plan notes that no licensed vaccines or therapeutics have been approved specifically for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola. That makes early case finding, infection prevention, safe care and contact tracing central parts of the response. It also places attention on health workers, vulnerable groups and communities in affected areas, where trust and timely information shape outbreak control.
The $518 million plan brings together governments, partners and communities under a shared operating model. It also aims to maintain essential health services during the outbreak and reduce disruption to other health emergencies, including mpox, cholera and measles. Health authorities said work had already started across affected and priority countries before the plan was announced.
