ADDIS ABABA, March 23 -- Africa's health security needs to be strengthened so as to cope with recurrent healthcare threats, Acting Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Ahmed Ogwell Ouma has said.

"Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are a sign that the health security of the continent needs to be strengthened to cope with the disease threats," an Africa CDC statement quoted Ouma as saying on Wednesday.

The Africa CDC chief made the call in line with the Africa CDC's pledge to support Tanzania and its neighboring countries to control the ongoing Marburg virus disease outbreak in the country. He also urged members of the public to continue sharing information in a timely manner with the authorities to enable a most effective response.

As part of its efforts to strengthen the health security of Africa, the Africa CDC, the African Union (AU)'s specialized healthcare agency, last week launched its second five-year strategic plan spanning from 2022 to 2026.

According to the plan, the Africa CDC will provide strategic direction and support to AU member countries during the period through six pillars, including surveillance and disease intelligence, information systems, laboratory systems and networks, emergency preparedness and response, national public health institutes and research, as well as disease control and prevention.

The ultimate purpose of the plan, which was developed in line with the AU's 50-year continental development Agenda 2063, is to ensure a safer, healthier, coordinated, and prosperous Africa, said the statement.

  - Xinhua