WHO declares Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a global health emergency

Health, International

GENEVA, Switzerland (NPA) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning of significant risks of regional and international spread.

In a statement issued on 17 May 2026, the WHO Director-General said the outbreak does not yet meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency under the International Health Regulations (2005) but requires urgent international coordination. He praised the governments of the DRC and Uganda for their transparency and commitment to tackling the crisis.

As of 16 May 2026, the WHO reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province, DRC, across Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu health zones. Two confirmed cases, including one death, were reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, both involving travellers from DRC. Another confirmed case was detected in Kinshasa, raising concerns about wider spread.

Clusters of community deaths with symptoms consistent with Bundibugyo virus disease have been reported, alongside four deaths among healthcare workers, pointing to hospital-based transmission and gaps in infection prevention. WHO warned that the outbreak may be larger than currently detected due to limited surveillance and weak epidemiological links.

The agency described the event as “extraordinary” because the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines or therapeutics, unlike Ebola-Zaire. The outbreak is occurring in urban and semi-urban hotspots, increasing the risks of rapid spread. Ongoing insecurity, humanitarian crises, and high population mobility in Eastern DRC further complicate containment.

International spread has already been documented, with confirmed cases in Uganda. Neighbouring countries with porous borders and high mobility are considered at high risk. WHO stressed that international coordination is essential to prevent further spread and ensure effective surveillance, treatment, and community engagement.

WHO urged affected countries to activate national emergency mechanisms, scale up surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, and infection prevention, and engage communities through local leaders and healers to improve case reporting and early treatment. It also called for safe burials conducted by trained personnel, strengthened border health measures, and restricted travel for suspected cases.

For neighbouring states, the WHO advised urgent preparedness, including rapid response teams, diagnostic capacity, and community surveillance. For other countries, the WHO cautioned against border closures, noting such measures lack a scientific basis and could worsen informal cross-border movements.

The Director-General announced plans to convene an Emergency Committee to refine temporary recommendations and guide international response. WHO emphasised the need for research and clinical trials to develop Bundibugyo-specific treatments and vaccines.

The declaration of a PHEIC underscores the seriousness of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, which has already spread beyond DRC’s Ituri Province into Uganda and Kinshasa. WHO warned that weak transparency and inadequate preparedness could undermine containment efforts. The global health body urged swift, coordinated action to safeguard lives and prevent further destabilisation in the region.