The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The continental public health agency is working with the WHO and national health authorities to strengthen Ebola preparedness, surveillance and regional response efforts. Photo: P4H Network

NNA News - The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have called for coordinated action against Ebola misinformation, saying accurate public information is essential to helping communities recognise risks, seek care early and support efforts to contain the virus.

Senior officials from the two agencies made the call at a two-day media engagement workshop in Nairobi held under the theme “Public Trust, Transparency, and Collective Action in the Ebola Response”.

The workshop focuses on cooperation between public health institutions and media organisations, with an emphasis on timely, verifiable reporting during outbreaks.

Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO representative to Kenya, said information was central to how communities respond to the disease, including whether people seek treatment and disclose contact with confirmed cases. “In any outbreak, information is a critical part of the response and even more so for Ebola. It will help decide how people react and seek care early. It will also have implications on whether those who have contact with a case come forward,” Kimambo said.

She highlighted the importance of transparent information sharing, surveillance, rapid diagnosis and clinical case management in identifying and interrupting transmission chains.

Wessam Mankoula, director of the Africa CDC's Centre for Public Health Emergencies and lead of its Continental Incident Management Support Team, said verified information could help communities understand how Ebola spreads and adopt protective behaviours.

The appeal comes as countries in Central and East Africa respond to an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola. WHO reported on 8 October that Kenya had confirmed an imported case involving a patient who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda. The patient died on 5 October, and contact tracing and other response measures were initiated.

Africa CDC has called for stronger surveillance and cross-border information sharing, alongside laboratory readiness and infection prevention measures. Its director-general, Jean Kaseya, said the agency would support Kenya's response and work with national authorities to assess further needs. “I thank the Kenyan authorities for the rapid measures already put in place and reiterate Africa CDC’s full support,” Kaseya said in a statement issued on 6 October.

The outbreak response has also highlighted the importance of public trust. Health authorities rely on communities to report symptoms, cooperate with contact tracing and follow infection prevention guidance. Misinformation or uncertainty can undermine these efforts and delay access to care.

The two agencies are urging media organisations to verify information with public health authorities, communicate uncertainty clearly and avoid circulating unconfirmed claims that could cause confusion or undermine the response.

Their call comes as regional health authorities continue to strengthen preparedness and coordination to limit further spread of the virus.