Africa CDC chief says the continent needs to invest its own funds in Ebola response, vaccine

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — African officials must step up financing to respond and develop vaccines for the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda, the continent's top health agency said on Friday, warning that the continent cannot continue to rely on foreign partners for its health needs.

The outbreak has claimed more than 200 lives out of 894 confirmed cases since May 15, with up to 35,000 contacts, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The number of cases is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks late.

Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya told The Associated Press in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, that the current outbreak — the worst ever at this stage — is yet another reminder for Africa to invest more in its health sector to reduce its reliance on foreign partners.

“If this outbreak was in Europe, the United States or other continents, they would already have developed a vaccine and medicine,” Kaseya said.

“We don’t want to be a continent begging every day. We want to be a continent of people who know what they are doing and who are respected because they are doing the right thing,” he added.

Response efforts have been challenged by the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo virus. The more common Zaire virus, for which there is a vaccine, was responsible for most of Congo’s past 16 outbreaks of the disease.

At the epicenter in Congo's eastern Ituri province where burials have become routine, including of babies. Health workers labor with little rest as they battle attacks from angry residents and widespread skepticism.

Consecutive health shocks, including COVID-19, have triggered efforts to boost local vaccine manufacturing in Africa, although not much has been achieved yet.

The continent, whose population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, produces less than 1% of its vaccine needs and 3% of medicine that is brought in from abroad, making millions of people vulnerable to epidemics.

While efforts are in place to speed up the development of vaccines and diagnostics, Kaseya said he is unsure a vaccine will be available by the end of the year.

The Africa CDC head added that the peak of the Ebola outbreak is still to come because of slow progress in identifying and monitoring contacts.

Officials are yet to identify the outbreak's patient zero and still need to trace more than 35,000 people who have come in contact with infected individuals, he added.

"This is why we are accelerating our fundraising to put on the ground so many teams to look for any contact, direct or indirect, and to start following them,” Kaseya said.

As part of the plan to push African states to financially support the agency’s efforts, Kaseya said South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to fly to Ituri Province in Congo and to Uganda next week in support of the mobilization of funds.

A newly established African Epidemic Fund has received pledges totaling about $80 million from African governments, while a broader donor conference held this week generated pledges of about $910 million, he said.

“We need to take care of ourselves," Kaseya said. "We need to say, ‘It’s time for us to really think strongly about how we can manufacture medicines and vaccines to meet our own needs.'"

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Musambi reported from Nairobi, Kenya. AP writer Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria contributed.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya speaks to the Associated Press during an interview in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

Red Cross workers prepare to bury Vanisa Anifa, a 6-month-old orphaned girl who died of Ebola, at the Bigo Cemetery, in Bunia, Congo, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

Health workers tend to an Ebola patient at the Rwampara Treatment Center in Ituri, Congo, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Jean Kaseya speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers optioned second baseman Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, just days after his return to the majors from missing 37 games because of injuries and a bout with viral meningitis.

Texas brought up outfielder Jarred Kelenic, the sixth overall pick by the New York Mets in the 2018 draft. The left-hander had hit .340 (17 of 50) with three homers, 11 RBIs, 12 runs and eight walks in 13 games for Round Rock since signing a minor league deal with the Rangers on June 1. He played 19 games earlier this season for the Chicago White Sox.

Smith, who went into the season expected to be the everyday second baseman for the Rangers after Marcus Semien was traded, hit .218 with no homers and six RBIs in 34 games. He was 2 for 9 in three games since being activated from the injured list Monday.

“Probably one of the toughest, if not the toughest send-down I’ve had in my career,” manager Skip Schumaker said. "That was not easy, and the message was that we need to get him going. ... The kid’s had a rough start to the year just because of started out slow, but then the sickness and got injured and you really feel for him."

Smith had been activated this week when shortstop Corey Seager was placed on the seven-day concussion list. Since Seager's move was retroactive, the two-time World Series MVP was eligible to return as early as Friday, but Schumaker said he wouldn't be activated for the opener of their three-game series against San Diego.

“He was offsite doing some treatment,” Schumaker said before the game. “Obviously not in the lineup, but a really encouraging today today, so far.”

Smith was already on the 10-day IL with a glute strain while also dealing with left wrist inflammation when he was hospitalized about a month ago with viral meningitis after feeling ill. He rejoined the team in late May.

The Rangers went into the series against San Diego after being swept in a three-game series at home by Minnesota, which never trailed while outscoring them 25-7. Texas was hitting .239 as a team and ranked 28th in the majors with their 292 runs (3.9 per game).

Schumaker said he hoped the moves could provide a spark for the big league lineup, and also give the 28-year-old Smith the opportunity to recover from a tough start.

Smith has played all four infield positions and the outfield for the Rangers. He was the AL Silver Slugger winner as a utility player just two seasons ago.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Kelenic, the Rangers transferred Michael Helman from the 60-day IL. Helman went on the 10-day list Sunday because of a broken right finger.

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Texas Rangers center fielder Josh Smith (8) jumps over left fielder Cody Freeman, left, allowing a double by Minnesota Twins Kody Clemens during the 8th inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)