Nigeria on High Alert Over $518m Ebola Plan and 288% Cholera Surge

The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and local health organisations have issued critical updates regarding two major health threats affecting Nigeria and the wider continent.

Health authorities are intensifying border safety measures following a new global Ebola strategy, while a severe cholera outbreak continues to expand rapidly across local communities.

WHO and Africa CDC Launch $518 Million Ebola Defence Plan

On June 5, 2026, the WHO and Africa CDC officially launched a joint six-month continental preparedness plan targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The initiative aims to secure $518 million to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and cross-border screening from June through November 2026.

The outbreak, centred primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, currently features hundreds of confirmed cases. Because the Bundibugyo species lacks a licensed vaccine or specific therapeutic treatment, regional containment is highly critical. Nigeria has increased vigilance at points of entry to ensure early detection.

According to the official WHO announcement, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised:

"The only way to beat this outbreak is through close partnership, working together under the leadership of the affected countries in one coordinated effort, guided by a simple principle: one plan, one budget, one team."

Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya also noted the need for rapid regional intervention, stating:

"Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster. This joint plan gives the continent a clear path to act with speed and unity: to save lives, support the affected countries and protect neighbouring communities."

Cholera Outbreak Explodes with 288% Increase in Suspected Cases

Closer to home, Nigeria is facing an immediate domestic emergency. A recent situation report published by the International Medical Corps via ReliefWeb highlights a massive across newly affected regions, including seven new Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State.