By Smart Emmanuel,
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appealed for US$18 million in urgent funding to support clinical trials of experimental Ebola treatments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as health authorities race to contain a growing outbreak of the disease.
The request comes as the agency prepares to begin drug trials in Ituri Province, where cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola have been confirmed in recent weeks. The trials will test potential treatments, including the antiviral drug obeldesivir, alongside other therapeutic options such as remdesivir and antibody-based therapies.
Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said funding delays could undermine response efforts, warning that rapid action is needed to prevent further spread of the virus, which has already caused hundreds of infections and deaths in the region.
The outbreak, first declared in May 2026, has affected multiple health zones in eastern DRC, with confirmed cases also reported in neighbouring Uganda, according to health authorities and international monitoring agencies.
While vaccine development efforts are progressing with international support, Africa CDC says funding for treatment trials and contact tracing remains insufficient. The agency has called for urgent international assistance to close the gap.
The United Nations has warned that a worsening outbreak could have significant economic and social consequences across Africa, potentially costing billions of dollars and disrupting livelihoods if containment efforts fail.
Health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have classified the outbreak as a major public health concern due to its spread in conflict-affected regions, where access to treatment centres and contact tracing remains challenging.
Africa CDC says it is working with global partners, including the WHO and international research organisations, to accelerate clinical trials and strengthen outbreak response capacity across affected countries.
Officials caution that the situation remains fluid, with surveillance, funding and security challenges continuing to shape the trajectory of the response.
