African health leaders and international partners are calling for stronger cross-border cooperation and responsible use of artificial intelligence to improve the early detection and management of infectious-disease threats across the continent.

The initiative was advanced during a high-level Presidential Dialogue on High-Threat Pathogens held alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Participants adopted the New York Call to Action on Cross-Border Preparedness Intelligence in Africa, placing greater emphasis on sharing health information and strengthening preparedness before outbreaks become major emergencies.

Focus on Earlier Warning

A key objective of the initiative is to help countries identify emerging health threats earlier.

Disease outbreaks do not always remain within national borders. Communities located along borders often share transportation routes, markets, ecosystems and social networks, allowing infectious diseases to move between countries.

The new approach seeks to improve the flow of information between neighboring countries so that health authorities can identify potential threats and coordinate responses more quickly.

Artificial Intelligence as a Support Tool

Artificial intelligence is being considered as an additional tool for analyzing large volumes of health information.

AI-enabled systems can help authorities examine different types of data, identify patterns and highlight potential changes that may require further investigation.

The approach is intended to support epidemiologists, health officials and national surveillance systems rather than replace professional judgment.

WHO has emphasized that responsible use of AI should strengthen existing public-health capabilities while maintaining appropriate national control over health information.

Preparedness Data Exchange

The discussions highlighted the Preparedness Data Exchange, or PDX, developed by WHO’s Regional Office for Africa.

Launched in March 2026, the platform brings together preparedness and risk information to support evidence-based decision-making.

The system incorporates multiple types of information that can help officials understand changing health risks.

By bringing information together in a more integrated environment, the platform is intended to help authorities identify vulnerabilities and improve preparedness planning.

Countries Retain Data Control

A major element of the proposed approach is that countries should retain appropriate control over their own data.

Instead of creating a single centralized database, the model seeks to enable countries to share the intelligence needed for collective preparedness while maintaining national control over sensitive information.

This federated approach is intended to build trust between countries while improving regional awareness of emerging threats.

Lessons From Ebola and Other Outbreaks

Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of infectious diseases, including Ebola, Marburg and mpox.

Experience from these emergencies has demonstrated the importance of rapid information sharing between neighboring countries.

Health authorities may have strong national systems but still face difficulties when information from border areas is not shared quickly enough.

The latest initiative aims to make cross-border preparedness a continuous process rather than something activated only after an outbreak begins.

Existing Regional Cooperation

The new call builds on earlier regional commitments.

In August 2026, health ministers from 10 African countries signed a cross-border collaboration memorandum of understanding supporting information sharing, early detection, joint preparedness and coordinated action before, during and after public-health emergencies.

The latest discussions seek to strengthen and expand this type of cooperation.

Connecting Different Types of Data

Modern epidemic preparedness increasingly depends on information from multiple sectors.

Health authorities can benefit from combining epidemiological information with climate data, laboratory results, mobility patterns, genomic information and animal-health surveillance.

Such connections can help identify warning signals that may not be obvious when each dataset is examined separately.

AI and advanced analytics can potentially assist officials in processing these large and complex information streams.

Importance of Human Expertise

Despite the growing role of technology, the initiative does not propose replacing health professionals with artificial intelligence.

AI is being positioned as a support mechanism for early warning, analysis and decision-making.

Epidemiologists, disease-surveillance teams and public-health authorities remain responsible for interpreting information and determining appropriate action.

This distinction is particularly important when dealing with uncertain signals or rapidly changing outbreaks.

Financing Preparedness

The discussions also highlighted the need for sustained financing.

Preparedness systems require investment before emergencies occur, including funding for surveillance networks, laboratories, trained personnel, technology and cross-border coordination.

The initiative therefore seeks to encourage governments and development partners to invest in anticipation and readiness rather than concentrating resources only on emergency response after an outbreak has already expanded.

Building a Connected Health Security System

The latest African initiative represents an effort to create a more connected regional health-security architecture.

Improved data exchange, stronger border cooperation and responsible AI could allow countries to identify risks earlier and coordinate action more effectively.

The goal is not to replace national health systems but to connect them more effectively.

Looking Ahead

African governments and health partners are expected to continue translating the New York Call to Action into national policies, financing arrangements and practical cross-border mechanisms.

The success of the approach will depend on sustained cooperation, trusted data-sharing arrangements, investment in health infrastructure and responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

For Africa, the initiative represents a shift toward anticipatory health security—using data and technology to identify potential threats before they develop into larger public-health emergencies.