The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, has criticised the international community over the lack of an approved vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, arguing that the disease has not received sufficient global attention because it primarily affects African countries.
Kaseya made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as the outbreak continues to spread across parts of Africa.
He argued that the response might have been different if the disease were affecting Western countries, suggesting that greater international investment could have accelerated the development of a vaccine.
The Bundibugyo strain differs from the Ebola strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, for which the Ervebo vaccine was developed. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola, making outbreak control and early detection particularly important.
Kaseya disclosed that Africa CDC had begun supporting clinical trials of potential vaccines against the strain, including a vaccine candidate being developed by a manufacturer in Egypt. The agency is also working with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda to explore the possibility of testing the existing Ervebo vaccine for potential protection against the Bundibugyo strain.
The Africa CDC chief called for increased investment in vaccine research, local pharmaceutical manufacturing and stronger cooperation among African countries. He stressed that the continent has the scientific expertise and human resources required to develop vaccines, medicines and diagnostic tools but needs sustained financial support to strengthen its capacity.
He also disclosed that 28 African countries had contributed funds towards the response to the current outbreak, describing the contributions as an important step towards greater African ownership of public health emergencies.
The comments come amid a growing Ebola outbreak that began in the DRC in May 2026 and has spread to other African countries. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the DRC had recorded 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 related deaths as of October 21, while Kenya had reported nine confirmed cases, including one death, as of October 22.
Nigeria also confirmed its first case of Bundibugyo Ebola on October 20, involving a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. Health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring as efforts to prevent further transmission continue.
Kaseya said the outbreak should prompt lasting changes in how Africa prepares for health emergencies, including greater investment in local vaccine production, increased domestic funding and improved coordination between African governments and international partners.
He maintained that reducing dependence on external support would be essential to ensuring that African countries can respond more effectively to future disease outbreaks.
