WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Key points

• The outbreak has resulted in 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases as of May 16, 2026.
• Confirmed cases have been identified in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in Kampala and Kinshasa.
• The WHO noted that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
• Health authorities have advised against closing borders or imposing travel restrictions, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance and isolation protocols.

Why it matters

The declaration aims to mobilize international resources and coordinate a regional response to contain the spread of a rare, highly fatal virus for which no specific medical countermeasures currently exist.