Tom Frieden, former head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the current Ebola outbreak demonstrates the world’s lack of preparedness for the next pandemic. He cited the Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak affecting Central Africa and cuts to US public health efforts as major concerns [1, 2, 3].
As of May 28 or 29, 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,077 suspected cases of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo strain. Partial border closures between Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda have complicated relief and coordination efforts [1, 2, 3].
African officials have received pledges totaling just over half of the US$500 million needed to fight the outbreak, highlighting a significant funding gap [1, 2, 3]. Frieden criticized reductions in US global public health presence since President Donald Trump took office. The US cut over 3,000 CDC jobs and stopped paying WHO dues, he said [1, 2, 3].
“Our defences are down. The WHO needs to be stronger. The CDC needs to be robust,” Frieden said, calling the Ebola outbreak a “stress test” the world is failing so far. He added, “I would say so far we’re failing, and that bodes ill for the future” [1, 2].
He also noted the outbreak does not pose a large risk to Americans, stating, “This Ebola outbreak is not going to cause a pandemic, it’s not going to cause a significant risk to large numbers of Americans” [1].
The outbreak and related challenges come just as international and local health authorities work to contain the virus amid restricted cross-border travel.
Relief efforts continue amid ongoing funding shortfalls. The coming days will be critical as authorities coordinate containment measures and work to secure the remaining resources needed to combat the epidemic [1, 2, 3].
