WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC, Uganda a global emergency: What to know
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern after nearly 90 deaths. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, has spread across borders to Uganda and reached Kinshasa, raising regional concerns. There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain of the virus.
- ▪The outbreak originated in Ituri province, DRC, and has resulted in 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases as of Saturday.
- ▪Uganda has confirmed two cases linked to travellers from the DRC, including one death in Kampala.
- ▪The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has a lethality rate of up to 50% and currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
- ▪The WHO declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern but did not classify it as a pandemic.
- ▪Weak healthcare infrastructure, population movement, and armed conflict in the region are complicating containment efforts.
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News|ExplainerWHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC, Uganda a global emergency: What to knowDRC outbreak causes more than 80 deaths and spreads to neighbouring Uganda.ListenListen (7 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA medical worker puts on protective equipment before entering an Ebola treatment centre in the DRC [File: AFP]By Al Jazeera StaffPublished On 17 May 202617 May 2026The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern” after the virus killed nearly 90 people.The outbreak, originating in eastern DRC’s Ituri province, involves the rare Bundibugyo…
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