The World Is Playing Catch-Up to Ebola
A new Ebola outbreak has emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public-health emergency. The outbreak has already sickened over 500 people and resulted in more than 130 deaths, raising concerns about its rapid spread. Experts warn that the global health community is struggling to respond effectively due to recent public health policy changes in the United States.
- ▪The outbreak is centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has also spread to Uganda.
- ▪Experts believe the virus has been spreading undetected for weeks or months.
- ▪The strain involved, Bundibugyo, is difficult to diagnose and lacks approved vaccines or treatments.
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HealthThe World Is Playing Catch-Up to EbolaThe outbreak will be difficult to contain, and international health organizations are scrambling to respond.By Katherine J. Wu and Hana KirosJospin Mwisha / AFP / GettyMay 19, 2026, 11:11 AM ET ShareSave Quite abruptly, the world has jolted into another infectious-disease crisis. On Friday, Africa CDC confirmed a new Ebola outbreak, centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; within two days, the World Health Organization declared the epidemic a public-health emergency of international concern.
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