The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday over an Ebola outbreak spreading across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the first time a WHO chief has made the declaration before convening an Emergency Committee.
“I took this step in accordance with Article 12 of the International Health Regulations, after consulting the Ministers of Health of DRC and Uganda, and in view of the need for urgent action,” Tedros said at a media briefing on 20 May 2026.
The Emergency Committee met on Monday and agreed with the assessment. WHO classifies the risk as high at the national and regional levels and low globally.
The outbreak is not classified as a pandemic emergency, the highest tier under the amended International Health Regulations. Confirmed cases have reached 51 in DRC’s northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, including the cities of Bunia and Goma. WHO says the actual scale in DRC is much larger.
Uganda has reported two confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death, both linked to travel from DRC. An American national working in DRC has also tested positive and been transferred to Germany. Beyond confirmed cases, authorities are tracking nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths.
Tedros expects those numbers to rise, given the time the virus circulated undetected. The outbreak is driven by Bundibugyo virus, an Ebola species with no approved vaccines or therapeutics. Tedros outlined five immediate risks:
1. Urban expansion: Cases are now confirmed in several urban areas, increasing transmission risk.
2. Healthcare-associated transmission: Deaths among health workers confirm hospital transmission.
3. Population movement: Ituri is a mining zone with high mobility and a surge in displacement. Over 100,000 people have been newly displaced since fighting escalated over the past two months.
4. Insecurity: Conflict in Ituri has intensified since late 2025, complicating response efforts.
5. No countermeasures: There are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus.
“In light of all these risks, I decided it was urgent to act immediately to prevent more deaths and mobilise an effective and international response,” Tedros said.
WHO has deployed staff, supplies, equipment, and funds to support DRC and Uganda. Tedros approved an additional $3.4 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, bringing total WHO funding for the response to $3.9 million.
He thanked DRC’s government, the National Institute for Biomedical Research, the National Institute of Public Health, and local health authorities for their leadership.
He also commended Uganda for postponing the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations, which draw up to two million people, to reduce transmission risk.
“My thanks especially to His Excellency President Museveni for taking this action,” he said.
In the absence of vaccines and therapeutics, the Emergency Committee has issued temporary recommendations focused on containment, surveillance, and clinical care.
Tedros handed over to Committee Chair Prof. Lucille Blumberg of the University of Pretoria to outline those measures.
The outbreak marks the first major test of the amended International Health Regulations and signals WHO’s shift toward earlier, faster declarations to contain high-risk pathogens before they escalate.
