Africa CDC Led Regional Push for Stronger Cross-Border Ebola Preparedness and Response
In a move to strengthen regional preparedness against the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), at the request of Uganda, convened a high-level cross-border meeting in Kampala, from May 22–23, 2026.
The Africa CDC meeting produced a joint ministerial communiqué and several key agreements aimed at strengthening the regional response to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.
Key results of the meeting:
- Ministers and health officials agreed to strengthen cross-border surveillance, rapid information sharing, contact tracing, laboratory networks, and infection-prevention measures.
- The participating countries committed to improving regional preparedness and coordinated response to prevent further spread of Ebola across borders.
- Partners emphasized stronger community engagement, risk communication, logistics coordination, and resource mobilization for the outbreak response.
- The communiqué called for investment in long-term regional health security, including workforce development, emergency coordination systems, and resilient health systems.
- Africa CDC proposed establishing a continental Ebola Incident Management Support Team in Kampala to enhance coordination and monitoring of the response across Africa, a proposal welcomed by Ugandan authorities.
The meeting was organized at Uganda’s request, within a growing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in eastern DRC, with spillover cases reported in Uganda. The gathering brought together health ministers, technical experts, and partners including the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
The meeting highlights Africa’s growing commitment to regional solidarity and collective health security. As disease outbreaks increasingly transcend national boundaries, coordinated action remains essential to effective prevention, preparedness and response.
Africa CDC reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Member States and partners to contain the outbreak, strengthen national and regional preparedness capacities and safeguard the health and well-being of communities across the continent.
Through stronger political leadership, improved coordination and sustained collaboration, regional stakeholders aim to build a more resilient and unified response to Ebola and future public health emergencies.
In summary, the main result was a regional agreement to intensify cross-border coordination and preparedness against Ebola, backed by commitments to surveillance, information sharing, laboratory support, and stronger joint response mechanisms. Strengthening a Coordinated Regional Response.
About Africa CDC: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.AfricaCDC.org
SOURCE: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
