Summary

The 2026 Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has exposed devastating weaknesses in the global outbreak response infrastructure after deep cuts by the United States to USAID and the CDC, and withdrawal from the WHO. Although the State Department has committed funding to contain the outbreak, experts argue that the Trump Administration’s actions have slowed outbreak detection and negatively impacted the speed and effectiveness of the response. In the name of “America First”, the Trump Administration has, by omission, created what is predicted to become “the worst [Ebola outbreak] on record,” according to Stephanie Psaki, a former U.S. coordinator for global health security at the National Security Council. To avoid this outcome, the Trump Administration must obligate the $19 billion in foreign aid already appropriated by Congress before it expires on September 30th.

The Outbreak

On May 15th, an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BVD) was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two days later, the WHO labeled the BVD virus in central Africa a “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)”. Transmitted through bodily fluids, BVD is a highly contagious disease that causes a “massive amount of diarrhea and vomiting” and ultimately kills its victims when they go into shock. The recent outbreak has infected 1000 people and killed 200 in the DRC and Uganda, and is the third-largest Ebola outbreak in world history. The largest Ebola outbreak occurred in 2014 in Western Africa and killed 11,000 people over two years. 

Why should the United States care?

A sound American response to the current Ebola outbreak is a matter of keeping Americans safe within and outside of our borders, recognizing domestic costs of global challenges, and remaining responsive to American ideals and values. Although there are no reported Ebola cases within the United States’ borders at present, there are risks, costs, and concerns relevant to American citizens, including: 

1. Economy: The United States economy will experience negative impacts to employment and exports. The 2014 Ebola outbreak cost 12,200 American jobs between 2014 and 2015 because of a $1.08 billion reduction in U.S. merchandise exports to Africa.

2. Humanitarian Crisis Costs: Thousands of people living in the DRC and Uganda will die. Ebola is projected to infect 10,000 to 20,000 people in the coming months, according to computer-generated models from the CDC. 83% of Americans support providing medicine and medical supplies to developing countries, according to a 2025 Pew Research Poll. Congress should react to the wishes of the American people.

3. Travel: Global pandemics dramatically impact travel. Whether travelers to/from the continent or locations that serve as travel hubs, fewer Americans will travel and fewer tourists will visit the United States. Tourism and travel to Western Africa will likely be cut in half. 

The United States’ Response

The Trump Administration asserts that the United States’ highest priority is to prevent Ebola from reaching our shores. On May 18th, the CDC began airport screenings at four major U.S. international airports. On June 3rd, the Department of State announced $162 million in emergency diagnostic supplies, provisional hospitals, and health screening clinics along borders to affected African countries--roughly one-tenth of what it spent on containing Ebola in the DRC in 2017. Compared to the leadership role the U.S. held in previous outbreaks, this is a massive abdication of global responsibility. 

Then and now

In 2014, the United States led the charge against Ebola in an act of international coordination. The WHO and USAID coordinated to identify Ebola, brought it to international attention, and established a roadmap to contain the outbreak in its early stages. In tandem, USAID and CDC staffers worked together through the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), providing on-the-ground support to West Africa via protective equipment, lab researchers, contact tracers, and training on safe burial of Ebola victims. Together, American leadership during the 2014 Ebola outbreak successfully reduced Ebola cases by 80% from peak levels. Today, that critical infrastructure is no longer present. 

In 2026, President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy is characterized by a skepticism of multilateral institutions and expert health advice, coupled with a lack of interest in foreign humanitarian aid and development. In March 2025, the Trump Administration fired 10,000 USAID employees and ended 83% of its programs. For the DRC, this meant its foreign aid from the United States decreased from $906 million in 2024 to $178 million by 2026. Moreover, the CDC’s leadership is also weakened. In the past year, the CDC has lost 3,000 staff, 27% of its total capacity, because of firings by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Director of Health and Human Services. Without these functioning agencies, Central Africa is subject to Ebola’s wrath - and the deaths, political fracturing, and economic crises that will come with it.

Consequences of “America First”

Experts warn that the aforementioned actions by the Trump Administration have negatively impacted the international community’s response to the 2026 Ebola outbreak. Firstly, the lack of communication between the United States and the WHO slowed down the American response by 10 days. WHO director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lamented that without American involvement in the organization, the epidemic is outpacing us.” 

Secondly, the actual on-the-ground response has been slow and disjointed without USAID.  “What we’ve lost is speed”, says Nicholas Erich, the former acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID. USAID could have helped labs in the DRC detect Ebola earlier, distributed medical equipment faster, and deployed health workers to screen locals for symptoms. Instead, State Department staffers with limited experience with Ebola from the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) and the Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR) are now responsible for coordinating logistics with the CDC. Speed is essential for outbreak control, as it slows the exponential spread of diseases. 

Thirdly, the CDC’s surveillance within the United States and on-site response is subpar. 

Sara Rodriguez, a former CDC Epidemic Intelligence Officer, asserted, “I spent my career chasing outbreaks. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is creating them right now.” This pessimistic opinion is widespread among staff at the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), which deals with Ebola outbreaks. Half of NCEZID employees report that their personal workplace morale is at a “somewhat low” or “very low state”. 

Policy recommendations

The Trump Administration must release the $19 billion in foreign aid appropriated by Congress to address this growing humanitarian crisis. Although restoring foreign assistance to its former funding levels won’t negate the damage already done, it’ll help contain the current Ebola outbreak in central Africa and detect future epidemics. Tom Frieden, CDC Director (2009-2017), puts it best: “Global health is a win-win: Every country is safer when all find outbreaks faster and stop them sooner.” 

What you can do:

Support the Alliance for American Leadership, a coalition of 70,000 Americans across all 50 states led by Executive Director Asher Moss. A4AL advocates for strong U.S. global leadership, humanitarian engagement, and international assistance. Our network includes former Congressman Tim Mahoney, former USAID officials, including AFGE Local President Mike Henning, and students at 100 college campuses. Call your Congressmen. Act Now. Learn more at https://A4AL.