What to know about Ebola outbreak after WHO sounds global alarm
The World Health Organization has declared a new Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. This outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which lacks approved vaccines or treatments, raising fears of containment challenges. The situation is complicated by the region's weak infrastructure and ongoing conflict, which may hinder response efforts.
- ▪Ebola has a fatality rate as high as 90 percent and is considered a national security threat by governments.
- ▪The current outbreak has spread to Uganda and is centered around a gold-mining region with poor healthcare infrastructure.
- ▪The Bundibugyo strain has only been recorded in two previous outbreaks, making it less understood than the more common Zaire strain.
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What to know about Ebola outbreak after WHO sounds global alarmSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxA medical worker puts on her Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ahead of entering an Ebola Treatment Centre run by The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) on Aug 12, 2018, in Beni. PHOTO: AFPPublished May 18, 2026, 03:04 PMUpdated May 18, 2026, 03:04 PMEbola is one of the deadliest diseases on Earth.With a fatality rate as high as 90 per cent, it’s among a handful of illnesses so dangerous that governments consider them threats to national security.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.