The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) following a rise in infections, deaths and concerns over possible regional spread.
The declaration comes amid reports of about 395 suspected cases and 106 deaths in the DRC, particularly in the Mongwalu, Rwampara and Bunia health zones, while Uganda has confirmed two cases and recorded one death in Kampala.
Africa CDC also announced the mobilisation of $2 million to support emergency response operations, alongside the deployment of multidisciplinary experts in epidemiology, laboratory systems, logistics, infection prevention and control, emergency coordination and risk communication.
The continental health agency made the announcement on Sunday in Addis Ababa after consultations involving African Union leaders, affected countries and regional health specialists.
According to Africa CDC, the declaration, made under Article 3, Paragraph F of its statute, authorises the agency to coordinate and support member states in responding to major public health emergencies across the continent.
The agency said the decision followed recommendations from its Emergency Consultative Group chaired by Salim Abdool Karim after assessing the epidemiological situation, regional risks and response capacities linked to the outbreak.
Africa CDC raised concerns over the increasing risk of cross-border transmission driven by population movement, insecurity in affected areas, weak infection prevention systems, mining-related migration and the proximity of affected communities to Rwanda and South Sudan.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, said the declaration was intended to mobilise institutions, resources and coordinated continental action to contain the outbreak.
He noted that the confirmation of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus in interconnected countries underscored the need for swift, science-based and collective action across Africa.
Kaseya added that the emergency declaration would strengthen regional coordination, support rapid mobilisation of financial and technical resources, reinforce surveillance and laboratory systems, facilitate emergency deployments and improve preparedness efforts in neighbouring high-risk countries.
The agency also expressed concern over the absence of approved vaccines and therapeutics specifically designed for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, noting that it is working with partners to assess available medical countermeasures and accelerate operational research.
Africa CDC and the World Health Organization are currently coordinating response efforts through a joint Incident Management Support Team operating under the “4 Ones” principle of one team, one plan, one budget and one monitoring framework.