The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a joint Ebola response plan requiring $518 million to contain a rapidly expanding outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and prevent further regional spread.
Urgent Action Needed
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking after returning from the outbreak's epicenter in Ituri province, said responders were still "playing catch-up" as the virus continues to spread. "The outbreak is moving fast," Tedros told a hybrid joint press briefing, emphasizing that the response must be driven by government leadership, community ownership, and close coordination among partners.
Response Plan Details
The joint preparedness and response plan, developed by WHO, Africa CDC, and partners, is based on the principle of "one plan, one budget, one team." It covers emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention, clinical care, community engagement, research, and logistics. Tedros noted the time-bound plan for this year costs $518 million.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya reported that the outbreak has reached 397 confirmed cases and 63 deaths, with over 5,009 contacts under follow-up. The case fatality risk stands at approximately 15.9%. Eleven countries are considered at risk.
Outbreak Expansion
Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, it has expanded from one province and three health zones to three provinces in DRC and 26 affected health zones. "This shows that the outbreak is moving, with the epicenter still in Ituri, where we have more than 90% of all cases and 70% of deaths," Kaseya stressed.
Kaseya described the current Bundibugyo outbreak as "the most serious" of the three recorded outbreaks caused by that strain and the "fourth-largest" Ebola outbreak by confirmed cases. If infections continue to rise, it could become the third largest.
Challenges and Funding
Officials cited misinformation, insecurity, and high population mobility as major challenges. Tedros warned that "misinformation is almost as dangerous as the virus itself," while Kaseya noted that some communities question why vaccines and treatments remain unavailable after nearly two decades of Ebola outbreaks.
Kaseya said partners have pledged nearly $498 million but warned that little funding has reached affected countries, urging commitments to be converted into actual disbursement.
