By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey, GNA
Accra, July 22, GNA – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AFRICA CDC) has called for US$1.4 billion to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The continental public health agency warned that without adequate funding, the outbreak could become one of Africa’s most severe Ebola emergencies.
Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC made the appeal at the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra.
He said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, remained active, with sustained transmission continuing to increase infections and deaths.
Dr Kaseya said that 2,124 cases and 828 deaths had been confirmed as of July 15, 2026.
He said insecurity and humanitarian crises in affected areas were undermining surveillance, contact tracing and treatment efforts.
“If we do not stop this outbreak now, it could become one of the most serious Ebola outbreaks Africa has experienced,” he said.
Dr Kaseya said the Africa CDC had activated a continental response plan and was working with affected countries, the African Union Commission and international partners to contain the outbreak.
He said the agency had appealed to the United States Government to lift travel restrictions imposed on Uganda, arguing that the country had acted responsibly by reporting the outbreak promptly and had made significant progress in controlling transmission.
“The last reported case was recorded was about two weeks ago, Uganda is doing an excellent job, countries that are transparent in reporting outbreaks should not be punished,” he said.
Dr Kaseya urged African leaders to support the appeal, saying travel restrictions on countries that promptly reported disease outbreaks could discourage transparency during future public health emergencies.
He said insecurity in some affected communities had exposed frontline health workers to attacks and made surveillance operations difficult, while population displacement had weakened contact tracing efforts.
“More than 70 per cent of Ebola cases were now being detected in communities rather than through surveillance systems, while over 60 per cent of deaths were occurring outside health facilities,” he said.
Dr Kaseya said thousands of contacts still needed to be identified and monitored to interrupt transmission.
He called on African governments to increase domestic financing for health systems to reduce reliance on donor funding.
Dr Kaseya said Africa’s health security depended on strengthening local capacity to produce medicines, vaccines and diagnostics while investing in research, regulation and innovation.
He also expressed concern about the continued burden of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria across the continent.
“Our goal is to build resilient health systems that are owned, financed and sustained by Africans,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
22 July 2026
Reporter; Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Email: [email protected]