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The Trump Ebola funding request would provide more than $1.4 billion to confront a rapidly expanding outbreak in Central Africa. The request comes after the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 1,118 confirmed infections and 291 deaths.

The emergency request would fund treatment, contact tracing, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and cross-border coordination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and other vulnerable countries. It also includes money to evacuate American citizens and support a proposed facility in Kenya for people exposed to the virus.

The outbreak is caused by the relatively rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola. No approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for Bundibugyo virus disease, although researchers are testing potential candidates. Health officials say it has produced more confirmed cases during its first month than any previous Ebola outbreak.

Despite the rapid growth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk to the United States remains low because of public-health measures already in place.

The severity of the outbreak, however, has intensified pressure on governments to contain the virus before it spreads farther across borders.

What the Trump Ebola Funding Request Covers

The Ebola funding is included in a broader $87.6 billion supplemental spending request sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson on June 24.

The administration is requesting $800 million for international humanitarian assistance. According to the White House, that money would support the broader crisis response in Central Africa, including the proposed Kenya facility.

Another $550 million would go toward global health security programs designed to prevent, detect and respond to the outbreak. The funds would pay for contact tracing, personal protective equipment, laboratory capacity, disease surveillance and coordination between countries.

The remaining $90 million would cover emergency diplomatic and consular needs, including the possible medical evacuation of U.S. citizens.

The three Ebola-related allocations total $1.44 billion.

The administration said the funding is necessary to limit the spread beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, protect other vulnerable countries and prevent the virus from reaching the United States.

Congress must approve the request before the money can be spent.

The Outbreak Is Expanding at Record Speed

The latest outbreak began in eastern Congo and later spread into neighboring Uganda. USA Herald previously reported that the World Health Organization declared the Congo-Uganda outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in May.