The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The decision, announced Sunday by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, follows rising cases, cross-border spread, and significant uncertainties about the outbreak’s true scale.
As of May 16, health authorities reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province in eastern DRC. Cases have also been confirmed in the capital, Kinshasa, and in Uganda, where two infected individuals from DRC are in intensive care.
WHO warned the outbreak is likely larger than detected, citing clusters of unexplained deaths and a high positivity rate among tested samples. At least four healthcare worker deaths have raised concerns about infection prevention in health facilities. The agency does not recommend international travel or trade restrictions but urges strengthened surveillance and community engagement.
No approved vaccines or treatments currently exist for the Bundibugyo strain, highlighting the urgency of accelerating research and clinical trials. An Emergency Committee will convene to provide further recommendations as global health authorities scale up containment efforts.