WHO Declares Ebola “International Emergency” After Outbreak Kills 80

A deadly Ebola outbreak has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global public health emergency after the disease spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into Uganda within 24 hours.

As of 16th May 2026, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported across at least three health zones in the DRC’s Ituri Province. Eight cases have been laboratory-confirmed. Two additional confirmed cases, including one death, were reported in Uganda, among individuals who had travelled from the DRC.

The strain involved is the Bundibugyo virus, a rare form of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)”, at the same time adding that it “does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency”.

At least four healthcare workers have died.

No travel restrictions are currently recommended for passengers outside the affected region. WHO says all other countries should strengthen surveillance and prepare rapid response capacity as a precaution.