WHO Declares International Health Emergency Over Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda

The World Health Organization has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, after cases linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain were reported across the two countries.

According to WHO, as of May 16, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province. The cases have been reported from at least three health zones — Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

WHO Raises Alert Over Ebola Outbreak

Uganda has also confirmed two Ebola cases in Kampala, including one death. WHO said both patients had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising concern over cross-border spread.

The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola strain. Unlike the Zaire strain, for which vaccines and treatments exist, there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain. This has made the response more difficult for health authorities.

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WHO has urged neighbouring countries to increase monitoring, track contacts, strengthen testing and prepare emergency response systems. However, it has not recommended border closures, warning that such steps may push people to use informal crossings and make surveillance harder.

Health officials are particularly concerned because the outbreak is spreading in areas already affected by conflict, movement of people and pressure on local health systems. Ituri Province in eastern Congo has remained one of the main areas under watch.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, body fluids or contaminated materials of an infected person. It can also spread during unsafe burial practices. Common symptoms include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and bleeding in some cases.

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The WHO emergency declaration is aimed at bringing faster international support, funding, medical teams and testing capacity to the affected areas. Africa CDC is also monitoring the situation closely, as health experts fear the outbreak could spread further if cases are not detected quickly.

The latest Ebola alert comes months after the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the end of a previous Ebola outbreak in November 2025. WHO had then said no new cases were reported for 42 consecutive days.

For now, WHO has said the situation requires urgent action, but it has not described the outbreak as a pandemic. The focus remains on quick detection, isolation of patients, safe care, contact tracing and community awareness in Congo, Uganda and neighbouring countries.

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