Ebola outbreak in Congo is a global emergency, says WHO

INTERNATIONAL – AFRICA

18 MAY 2026

• The World Health Organization on Sunday declared the Ebola disease outbreak caused by a rare virus in Congo and neighbouring Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths.
• The WHO said the outbreak did not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, and advised against the closure of International Borders.
• The WHO said on the X that a laboratory-confirmed case has also been reported in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, which is about 1,000 km from the outbreak’s epicentre in the eastern province of Ituri, suggesting a possible wider spread.
• Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen.
• The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal.
• By the WHO’s standards, it shows the event is serious, there is a risk of international spread and it requires a coordinated response.
• Authorities say the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.