Ebola, hantavirus: Is the world prepared for the next pandemic?
The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency. Concurrently, a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship is raising concerns about international health preparedness. Funding cuts to the WHO are jeopardizing global health responses and pandemic readiness.
- ▪The WHO has declared an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the DRC a public health emergency of international concern.
- ▪Countries are also dealing with a hantavirus outbreak connected to a cruise ship trip to South America.
- ▪The WHO is facing a funding crisis, exacerbated by the United States withdrawing financial support.
- ▪Funding cuts have weakened disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness efforts.
- ▪Rapid international coordination is essential for effective outbreak response.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
EXPLAINERNews|HealthEbola, hantavirus: Is the world prepared for the next pandemic?Funding cuts to health research and a growing antivaccine movement are making it harder than ever to respond to viruses.ListenListen (13 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMalaysia's health officials check temperatures of passengers arriving from the US at Kuala Lumpur airport [File: Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters]By Priyanka ShankarPublished On 18 May 202618 May 2026The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a “public health emergency of international concern”, setting off alarm bells around the world.The WHO’s announcement on Sunday…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Al Jazeera English.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Al Jazeera English
