The United States has announced fresh funding to support efforts aimed at containing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa. The new financial commitment comes as health authorities continue to battle rising cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
On Thursday, the US government revealed it would allocate an additional $80 million (approximately Ksh.10.3 billion) to strengthen the fight against Ebola in the affected regions. This latest contribution raises the total US support to $112 million (about Ksh.14.5 billion) since the outbreak was first reported. According to the State Department, the funds will be directed toward critical response measures, including the provision of protective gear for frontline health workers, enhancing border screening systems, and supplying testing kits and other essential resources.
Despite the increased funding, the US administration has faced criticism from sections of the Democratic Party and non-governmental organisations. Concerns have been raised over its handling of the crisis, particularly following the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the dismantling of the USAID agency, both of which previously played key roles in global health responses.
US officials maintain that their priority is to stop the spread of the virus at its source. In a statement, the government emphasised its commitment to a coordinated strategy aimed at preventing the disease from spreading internationally and safeguarding its citizens. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reaffirmed the government’s stance, pledging efforts to ensure Ebola does not reach US borders.
The World Health Organization reports that since the outbreak was declared on May 15, the DRC has recorded 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 223 suspected fatalities. The total number of confirmed and suspected infections has surpassed 1,000, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Health authorities in the region continue to intensify surveillance, treatment, and containment measures to curb further spread.
The additional US funding is expected to provide much-needed support to ongoing response efforts. However, the outbreak remains a serious public health concern, with international cooperation seen as key to containing the virus and preventing a wider global threat.
That’s a really important step. It’s good to see the US providing more resources to tackle this complex situation in those countries.