The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have inaugurated a joint continental preparedness and response plan to tackle the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.

In a statement on Friday, the organisations said the six-month plan sought to mobilise $518 million to help African countries and partners strengthen preparedness, early detection and rapid response measures.

The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the plan, covering June to November, brought 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,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, 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 Africa CDC, WHO and partners.

He said core response pillars included emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and support for essential health services across affected areas.

“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 said.

The Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, emphasised the importance of collective action and urgency in containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission across communities and neighbouring countries on the continent.

“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,” Mr Kaseya said.

According to him, 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.

“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.

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.

Drawing on lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks, the officials said the plan would also strengthen long-term capacity to prevent, detect and respond to future health threats while protecting lives and livelihoods.(NAN)