The Ebola Outbreak in Africa Was Declared a Global Health Emergency by the WHO. Here's What to Know About the Rare but Severe Illness
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The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. Despite this, the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, and the CDC indicates a low risk to the American public. The declaration aims to mobilize international resources to combat the spread of the disease.
- ▪The WHO reported ten confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, with over 300 suspected cases and nearly 90 suspected deaths.
- ▪The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.
- ▪Public health experts express concern that the outbreak was reported too late for an effective response.
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The Ebola Outbreak in Africa Was Declared a Global Health Emergency by the WHO. Here’s What to Know About the Rare but Severe Illness The international health agency notes that the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the risk to the American public is low Sara Hashemi | Daily Correspondent May 18, 2026 3:16 p.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source A visitor washes his hands before entering a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of Ebola prevention measures.
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