Kenya will receive KSh647 million Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, June 5 launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan on the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The plan includes joining efforts to raise US$ 518 million to support African countries together with partners to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak.
According to WHO, the plan that will bring together governments, partners and communities under a unified ‘One Reponse’ approach will cover six months, beginning June 2026 through November 2026.
The Africa CDC and the WHO hopes that the plan will 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 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,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “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.”
Kenya is among the 10 African countries that have been designated to be at high risk for an Ebola outbreak (in Preparedness Phase), with the financial boost expected to enhance public health emergency preparedness and ensure early detection and swift response. The other countries include; South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Angola, Republic of Congo and Burundi. DR Congo and Uganda are in Reponse Phase.
“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. With Member States, WHO and partners, Africa CDC is turning commitment into action and resources into response for the communities at risk,” Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, said.
WHO insists that the plan has put much emphasies on protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening cross-border collaboration, and supporting countries to respond quickly to new cases.
All these efforts, WHO says, are critical given that there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.
Implementation of preparedness and response activities is already underway across affected and at-risk countries.
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.
Africa CDC and WHO have since urged member states to strengthen screening and public health measures at points of entry and enhance cross-border coordination and solidarity to support a timely, effective and evidence-based response to the outbreak.
