## A New Chapter for African Health Security Africa has taken a significant stride towards strengthening its defenses against public health emergencies with the official launch of the Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST). This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), in collaboration with the Ugandan government, marks a pivotal moment for health security across the continent. Unveiled in Kampala, Uganda, on June 27, 2026, the IMST establishes a unified operational platform designed to bolster Africa's capacity to prepare for, coordinate, and respond to various health crises. Its immediate focus includes supporting the ongoing response to the Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) outbreak. This launch signifies a shared commitment among African Union Member States and key health organizations to build more agile, coordinated, and country-led responses to the increasingly complex health threats facing the region. By fostering regional preparedness and robust cross-border collaboration, the IMST is set to become an essential pillar in safeguarding Africa's health and well-being. ## Understanding the Incident Management Support Team (IMST) At its core, the IMST functions as a central hub of expert resources, essentially a command center for responding to health emergencies. It brings together a diverse group of specialists, forming a cohesive unit dedicated to tackling outbreaks from multiple angles. The team operates under clear guiding principles: “One Team, One Plan, One Budget, and One Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.” This unified approach ensures that all efforts are synchronized, resources are utilized efficiently, and progress is tracked consistently. Experts within the IMST cover a wide array of critical areas. This includes specialists in disease surveillance, who track the spread of illnesses; laboratory system experts, who ensure accurate testing and diagnosis; case management professionals, who oversee patient care; and infection prevention and control teams, who work to stop the spread within healthcare settings. Additionally, the team comprises emergency logistics experts to ensure supplies reach where they’re needed, emergency operations personnel to coordinate on-the-ground activities, and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) specialists, who play a vital role in informing and involving affected communities. Information management and partner coordination experts round out the team, ensuring smooth communication and collaborative efforts. ## Why This Initiative Matters for Africa Africa frequently bears the brunt of various disease outbreaks, from viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg to other deadly diseases such as Lassa fever, yellow fever, and cholera. Factors like rapid urbanization, climate change, increased cross-border movement, and sometimes conflict can accelerate the spread of these illnesses, making swift and coordinated responses absolutely critical. Historically, responses might have been fragmented, relying heavily on external support and sometimes lacking sufficient local leadership. This new IMST represents a strategic shift towards empowering African nations to take stronger ownership of their health security. By developing robust internal capacities and fostering regional solidarity, the continent aims to move from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention and coordinated action. This initiative reflects a growing recognition that effective public health emergency response must be locally driven, drawing on indigenous knowledge and resources, while benefiting from global best practices and partnerships. ## Addressing the Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Outbreak The immediate activation of the Joint IMST is a testament to its critical role, as it is already supporting the response to the Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) outbreak. BVD is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever, closely related to the more widely known Ebola virus. It can cause a range of symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some severe cases, internal and external bleeding. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals (such as fruit bats and non-human primates) or sick or deceased humans. It is important to note that BVD is not airborne. Preventative measures are crucial and include avoiding contact with infected individuals and animals, practicing safe burial rituals, maintaining strict hygiene, and ensuring healthcare workers use appropriate protective gear. While there is currently no specific cure or vaccine for BVD, supportive care, including rehydration and managing symptoms, is vital for improving patient outcomes. The IMST’s support in this context includes providing integrated technical assistance, strengthening surveillance and laboratory systems, facilitating emergency logistics, and engaging with communities to share accurate information and prevent further spread. ## Uganda: A Strategic Hub for Continental Health Uganda's role in this initiative is particularly significant. The country has not only pledged its support but is actively hosting two complementary continental platforms. The Joint Continental IMST is co-located at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University in Kampala, a renowned center for infectious disease research and training. Furthermore, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's commitment also led to the establishment of the Continental Ebola Supply Chain Coordination Mechanism at the National Medical Stores in Entebbe. This dual hosting arrangement in Uganda creates vital hubs for both immediate emergency response coordination and the long-term logistical management of essential supplies across Africa. The decision to host these critical functions in Uganda reflects the country's experience in managing outbreaks and its strategic location. It demonstrates how national commitment can translate into tangible continental benefits, reinforcing the idea that collective action yields stronger results. ## The Power of Cross-Border Collaboration and Community Engagement Diseases do not recognize national borders, making cross-border collaboration an indispensable aspect of effective public health response. The IMST reinforces cooperation, particularly between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which are often affected by similar outbreaks. This involves harmonizing surveillance efforts, linking laboratory networks for faster diagnosis, coordinating emergency logistics, and ensuring unified preparedness strategies across neighboring countries. By sharing information and resources, nations can create a more robust regional shield against emerging threats. Crucially, the IMST deeply integrates Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) into all facets of its work. This approach recognizes that communities are at the very heart of successful outbreak control. By actively listening to community concerns, understanding local behaviors, and using these insights to inform operational decisions, the IMST aims to build trust, dispel misinformation, and ensure that health interventions are culturally appropriate and effective. Engaging communities helps foster shared responsibility and improves the overall impact of response efforts. ## Strengthening Africa's Long-Term Health Resilience The launch of the Joint Continental IMST is not merely a response to current outbreaks; it is a significant investment in Africa's long-term health resilience. By building stronger institutions, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and fostering regional solidarity, Africa CDC and WHO AFRO are working towards a future where the continent is better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to future public health emergencies. This initiative signifies a commitment to self-reliance and sustained preparedness, ensuring that African nations can lead the charge in protecting their populations. The vision is to create a more resilient Africa, capable of quickly and effectively addressing health crises, thereby reducing the impact on lives and livelihoods. This strategic move aims to solidify Africa's leadership in global health security, ensuring that the continent is not just a recipient of aid but a key driver of innovative and effective public health solutions. The broad support from various international partners, including ambassadors and representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, US CDC, and others, underscores the global recognition of this vital African-led effort. ## Global Partnership in Action The event itself was graced by numerous international dignitaries, including the United States Ambassador and the British High Commissioner, alongside delegations from high-risk and affected countries and representatives from many IMST partners. These partners, including UNICEF, UNFPA, US CDC, IFRC, FAO, MSF, UKHSA, JICA, JHPIEGO, and TDDAP, provide crucial support, expertise, and resources. Their presence highlights the global recognition of Africa's proactive steps in managing its health challenges. This collaborative spirit, linking national leadership with continental expertise and global partnership, is fundamental to strengthening Africa's ability to swiftly detect outbreaks, respond effectively, and ultimately better protect its populations from the evolving landscape of public health threats.