WHO sounds global alarm over ‘extraordinary’ Ebola strain spreading through central Africa
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency due to a spreading outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in central Africa, with cases confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The outbreak, marked by high fatality rates and a lack of approved vaccines or treatments, has already caused numerous deaths and infected hundreds. Health officials warn of a potentially much larger undetected outbreak as the virus reaches major urban centers.
- ▪The WHO declared the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern due to rapid spread and high uncertainty about case numbers.
- ▪At least 80 suspected deaths and nearly 250 suspected cases have been reported across three health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- ▪There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, which has a 32% fatality rate.
- ▪Infected travelers have brought the virus into Kampala, Uganda, where two patients are in intensive care.
- ▪The WHO is airlifting five metric tons of medical supplies to affected areas and deploying additional response resources.
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World News WHO sounds global alarm over ‘extraordinary’ Ebola strain spreading through central Africa By Daniel Cody Published May 16, 2026, 11:15 p.m. ET A terrifying strain of Ebola has triggered a global health emergency after tearing through central Africa and spreading into major urban capitals, health officials warned Saturday. The World Health Organization slapped a “public health emergency of international concern” label on the deadly Bundibugyo Ebolavirus outbreak following a surge of cases across the Congo, and now Uganda. There are “significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread” and a “limited understanding of the epidemiological links” between victims, according to the WHO.
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