WHO, Africa CDC Launch Continental IMST to Combat Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda BODY: Kampala, Uganda – In a significant move to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have officially launched the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) on June 27, 2026.
The IMST, based at the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University in Kampala, is set to become fully operational from June 29, 2026.
The Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO, has seen the DRC reporting 1274 confirmed cases as of June 27, 2026, with Uganda reporting 20 confirmed cases.
The launch of the IMST is a strategic response to the need for a coordinated and effective regional response to such outbreaks, aiming to strengthen Africa’s public health emergency architecture.
The IMST will support health emergency preparedness activities in 10 priority countries in the region, including the DRC and Uganda. It will coordinate operational planning, surveillance, case management, logistics, risk communication, information management, and partner engagement.
This coordinated approach is crucial in the fight against the Ebola outbreak, which has already caused significant loss of life and disrupted communities in the affected areas.
The Uganda Ministry of Health expressed pride in hosting the IMST, emphasizing the shared commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and collective action in public health emergency preparedness and response.
The NationPress article highlights the ‘one team, one plan, one budget’framework under which the IMST will operate, emphasizing the continent’s most coordinated Ebola response architecture to date.
The launch of the IMST comes amidst ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. It is expected that the team’s expertise and resources will significantly enhance the response efforts, ensuring a more effective and efficient approach to managing the crisis.
The establishment of the IMST is a testament to the growing capacity of African health institutions to respond to complex public health emergencies.
It also underscores the importance of regional cooperation and coordination in addressing health challenges that transcend national borders.
As the IMST begins its operations, the world watches with hope that this coordinated effort will bring the Ebola outbreak under control and prevent further loss of life.
The success of the IMST will not only depend on the skills and expertise of its team members but also on the support and collaboration of governments, health organizations, and communities across the region.
The launch of the IMST is a significant step forward in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda. It is a demonstration of the commitment of African health institutions to protect the health and well-being of their citizens and to contribute to global health security.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
