Africa: WHO Unveils $518m Plan to Combat Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have unveiled a $518 million six-month emergency response plan aimed at containing the rapidly growing Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda. 

The outbreak is now considered the fourth-largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded, prompting renewed calls for international funding and political support. 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the outbreak had spread undetected for weeks, allowing the virus to gain a significant foothold before health authorities could respond.

The current epidemic is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. 

According to the latest figures, the DRC has recorded hundreds of confirmed infections and dozens of deaths, while Uganda has also reported confirmed cases and fatalities. 

Health officials say challenges such as insecurity, limited testing capacity, population displacement, and community mistrust have complicated efforts to trace contacts and contain transmission. 

The WHO said the new funding package will support treatment centres, disease surveillance, border screening, laboratory testing, and preparedness efforts in countries at risk of cross-border spread.