The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), following rising infections, deaths and cross-border transmission fears.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced the declaration after consultations with affected countries under the International Health Regulations framework.

According to WHO, the outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Health authorities disclosed that as of May 16, 2026, about 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths had been recorded in Ituri Province in eastern DRC, while Uganda confirmed imported cases linked to cross-border movement from Congo.  

WHO said the emergency declaration was necessitated by the increasing risk of regional spread, particularly due to population movement, porous borders and weak health infrastructure in conflict-affected areas.

The outbreak, first detected in the Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones of DRC, reportedly claimed the lives of several healthcare workers, raising concerns over infection prevention failures in medical facilities.  

The organization warned that delayed detection of the virus, insecurity in affected communities and inadequate surveillance systems could worsen the situation if urgent intervention is not intensified.

WHO, alongside local governments and international health partners, has deployed rapid response teams, strengthened surveillance, intensified contact tracing and established isolation and treatment centres in affected areas.  

Although WHO clarified that the outbreak has not yet reached the threshold of a pandemic, the agency stressed that coordinated international support is critical to contain the disease and prevent further spread across Africa and beyond.