World

WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda a global health emergency

By Reuters Reuters
A man is carried from an ambulance as he arrives at Bunia General Referral Hospital following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Victoire Mukenge
A man is carried from an ambulance as he arrives at Bunia General Referral Hospital following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Victoire Mukenge Victoire Mukenge Reuters

The World Health Organisation on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.

The WHO said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 5:23 PM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER