WHO launches $518M plan to fight Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief announced a $518 million six-month plan on Friday to combat the Ebola outbreak. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that the outbreak could be contained, stating that the plan, developed jointly with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, draws from lessons learned from previous outbreaks and recent health emergencies. Ghebreyesus emphasized that containing Ebola requires political commitment, sustained financing, and trust in engaging with communities. The plan is set to run from June to November. The epidemic is the fourth biggest on record, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain for which there is no approved treatment or vaccine. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya noted this is the most serious Bundibugyo outbreak to date. Donors have pledged $315.8 million so far, a figure that was adjusted down from an original $498 million. The strategy aims to help the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda contain their outbreaks, while assisting other countries to prepare for possible cases. Testing has been challenging, with commonly used tests initially failing to detect the Bundibugyo strain and delays in obtaining results. Security risks have also impacted the response, with the WHO receiving three armored vehicles from the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. Franklin Graham, president of Christian aid group Samaritan's Purse, noted that it takes several days to a week or more to get test results, which is frustrating.