Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya called for increased funding to combat an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The appeal comes as the virus spreads across borders, threatening regional stability and public health. Kaseya said that relying solely on border closures will not stop the transmission of the disease.
The Africa CDC, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has flagged a significant gap in financial commitments. A report from May 28, 2026, stated that funding pledges to fight the outbreak had almost halved [2].
To fully respond to the crisis, $1.4 billion is required [1]. The White House has requested $1.4 billion from Congress to support the effort [2].
The current outbreak is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. There are conflicting reports regarding medical countermeasures for this specific strain. Some reports indicate that the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or treatment [2], while other sources state the U.S. is preparing to send vaccines and treatments to the region [1].
Kaseya said that the priority remains containing the spread of the virus and developing effective vaccines. The Africa CDC continues to coordinate with international partners to secure the necessary resources to prevent a wider epidemic.
“Border closures alone will not stop transmission”
The reliance on the Bundibugyo strain, which may lack established vaccines, increases the urgency of the funding request. If the gap between pledged funds and the $1.4 billion requirement persists, the Africa CDC may struggle to implement containment strategies beyond basic border controls, potentially allowing the virus to establish a deeper foothold in Central and East Africa.
