Africa CDC, WHO Launch Unified Platform for Ebola Response in Africa

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the Government of Uganda, has officially launched a unified operational platform known as the Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST). This significant initiative aims to strengthen Africa's collective capabilities to prepare for, coordinate, and respond to various public health emergencies, with a particular focus on the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease (BVD) outbreak. The launch event took place at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, marking a crucial step towards a more harmonized and effective continental health security architecture. The IMST operates under the guiding principles of 'one team, one plan, one budget,' fostering a collaborative environment to ensure swift and integrated responses to complex health threats. This centralized coordination platform is designed to provide comprehensive support to countries currently affected by the Ebola outbreak, primarily the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as well as neighboring at-risk nations. The support encompasses integrated technical assistance, operational coordination, and multidisciplinary expertise across critical areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, case management, infection prevention and control, emergency logistics, risk communication, and information management. The Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak continues to pose a substantial public health challenge in the region. As of late June 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 1,200 confirmed cases across various health zones, while Uganda has documented 20 confirmed cases, all linked to cross-border transmission from eastern DRC. The establishment of the IMST is particularly timely, moving from remote regional coordination to a physically co-located incident management structure in Kampala, which will provide day-to-day support to national authorities. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency and necessity of this joint effort, stating that 'Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster.' He highlighted that the unified plan provides a clear pathway for the continent to act with speed and unity to save lives, support affected countries, and protect surrounding communities. The initiative reflects a shared commitment by Africa CDC, WHO, and African Union (AU) member states to build faster, more coordinated, and country-led responses to increasingly complex public health threats. Similarly, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, underscored the importance of close partnership, community engagement, and sustained financing in combating the outbreak. He reiterated that containing Ebola relies on political commitment, adequate funding, and the trust of communities, with the plan placing communities at its core to ensure effective contact tracing, timely care, and prevention of further transmission. Beyond immediate outbreak response, the IMST also aims to reinforce regional preparedness and enhance cross-border collaboration, which are considered essential pillars for Africa's long-term health security. The platform will work closely with a regional logistics hub in Entebbe, Uganda, to facilitate the rapid deployment of crucial resources such as medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and specialized technical expertise to areas most in need. This strategic positioning and comprehensive approach are expected to improve Africa's capacity to respond effectively to future disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. The launch of this platform follows an earlier joint continental preparedness and response plan for the Bundibugyo virus, unveiled by Africa CDC and WHO on June 5, 2026. That six-month plan, covering June to November 2026, aimed to raise US$518 million to support African countries and partners in preparing for, rapidly detecting, and responding to the outbreak. The IMST serves as the operational mechanism for this broader strategic plan, embodying the commitment to a 'One Response' approach that integrates governments, partners, and communities. This concerted effort is vital for India, as global health security is interconnected. Outbreaks like Ebola, while geographically distant, can have far-reaching implications, including potential travel restrictions, economic disruptions, and the need for international cooperation in vaccine development and distribution. India, as a major player in global health and pharmaceuticals, has a vested interest in the stability and health security of African nations.

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