First Trial to Prevent Bundibugyo Ebola After Exposure Begins as Outbreak Claims 600 Lives
By Michael Gwarisa Scientists have launched the world’s first clinical trial to determine whether an experimental antiviral drug can prevent people exposed to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus from developing the deadly disease, offering new hope as an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda continues to spread. The EBO-PEP
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Bundibugyo Ebola Cases Surge 25% in a Week as Africa CDC Warns Outbreak Is Accelerating
By Michael Gwarisa The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is accelerating at an alarming pace, with infections surging by 25% in just one week as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned that the virus is spreading faster than response efforts can keep up. The continental public health agency
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38,000 Malawians to Receive Lenacapavir as First Shipment of HIV Prevention Doses Arrives
By Michael Gwarisa Malawi has received its first shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine, with enough doses expected to protect 38,000 people, marking another milestone in Africa’s rollout of one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention in decades. The arrival of the first of two planned shipments positions Malawi as
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African Leaders Pledge US$910 Million to Contain Ebola as Africa CDC Warns Time Is Running Out
By Michael Gwarisa African leaders, donors and international partners have pledged US$910 million towards containing the growing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with health officials warning that delays in releasing funds could sharply escalate both infections and costs. The commitments were announced following a High-Level Emergency Meeting convened
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WHO Pushes Expansion of PEN-Plus to 30 African Countries Ahead of Tanzania Conference
By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to expand its PEN-Plus programme to 30 African countries beginning this year as governments, health experts and development partners gather momentum to tackle the continent’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The planned expansion comes ahead of the 3rd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA
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WHO Africa Director Calls for Greater Investment in Safe Blood Systems as Region Marks World Blood Donor Day
By Michael Gwarisa As the world commemorates World Blood Donor Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has called for stronger investment in blood services across the continent, warning that demand for safe blood continues to outpace supply. In his World Blood Donor Day message, Prof Janabi
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AFRICALLI calls for allergy care to be recognised as essential health across Africa during World Allergy Week 2026
By Michael Gwarisa The African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) is using World Allergy Week 2026 to push for a major shift in how allergic and immunologic diseases are prioritised across the continent, calling for them to be formally recognised as essential health care within national health systems. Under the theme “Allergy Care
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635 Cases and Rising: Current Ebola Outbreak Far Exceeds Previous Bundibugyo Epidemics
By Michael Gwarisa The current outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the largest ever recorded since the strain was first identified nearly two decades ago, according to data from Africa CDC. As of June 9, 2026, the outbreak had recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127
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WHO, Africa CDC launch US$518 million continental Ebola preparedness plan
Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a US$517.7 million joint continental preparedness and response plan aimed at containing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and preventing its spread across Africa. The six-month plan, covering June to November 2026, seeks to strengthen surveillance,
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Africa CDC Appoints Saran Koly as New Communications Director
Michael Gwarisa The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed Saran Koly as its new Director of Communications and Public Information, bringing to the role more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, public health advocacy, media relations and stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally. At Africa CDC, Koly will
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