By Cremilda Macuácua,China Africa News
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 14, 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has commended China for its support in combating the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa as health authorities continue efforts to contain the disease in affected countries.
Speaking during a media briefing, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said cooperation with China has strengthened Africa’s response efforts through financial assistance, medical supplies, and public health expertise. The remarks came as confirmed Ebola cases reached 654, with 129 deaths reported across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, remains a significant public health challenge for the region. Health authorities have intensified surveillance, treatment, and community outreach efforts to contain transmission and prevent the disease from spreading across borders.
Kaseya noted that China has been a longstanding partner in Africa’s health sector, providing critical support to national health systems and regional institutions. He said Chinese assistance has included the deployment of public health experts, the provision of medical equipment, and direct support to Africa CDC during health emergencies.
Despite ongoing response efforts, Africa CDC warned that several challenges continue to hamper containment measures. In the DRC’s Ituri Province, gaps in contact tracing have complicated efforts to track and isolate potential infections. Other obstacles include delayed outbreak detection, insecurity in affected areas, high population mobility, community mistrust, unsafe burial practices, limited treatment capacity, and funding shortages.
Health officials have stressed that international cooperation remains essential to bringing the outbreak under control. Africa CDC and the World Health Organization recently launched a joint continental Ebola preparedness and response plan aimed at strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory testing, clinical care, community engagement, and emergency readiness across the region.
The response plan seeks approximately $518 million in funding to support affected countries and improve preparedness in neighboring states at risk of future outbreaks. Public health experts say sustained investment and coordinated action will be critical to preventing further spread of the virus and reducing the outbreak’s human and economic impact.
As Central Africa continues its response to the outbreak, Africa CDC has called for stronger partnerships and increased global support to ensure public health measures remain effective and communities receive the resources needed to combat the disease.
