WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda a global health emergency
By ReutersReuters
People 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)
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
Ambulances parked 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
People walk 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
Workers stand guard at the gate of the Kibuli Muslim Hospital where a Congolese man died of Ebola Bundibugyo virus in Kibuli suburb of Kampala, Uganda May 16, 2026. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa Abubaker Lubowa Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.
This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 5:33 PM.
