WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Central Africa emergency of international concern

Global body stops short of declaring the outbreak a pandemic emergency

Published May 17, 2026  •  2 minute read

FILE - In this photo provided by Doctors Without Borders, men stand outside an Ebola treatment centre in the remote Bulape Health Zone, Kasaï province, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept 7, 2025, that was set up following the outbreak of the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. (MSF via AP, File) AP

The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa as a public health emergency of international concern after hundreds of suspected cases and at least 88 deaths were reported.

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The global body stopped short of declaring the outbreak of a rare virus that causes the disease a pandemic emergency despite cases being reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, including two laboratory-confirmed cases with no apparent links to each other.

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Nonetheless, the WHO described the situation as “extraordinary” and called on the DRC and Uganda to ramp up high-level engagement and “activate” their national emergency management mechanisms.

“Neighbouring countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel linkages and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty,” the WHO said on Sunday in a statement.

The WHO said countries that do not border the DRC are advised to keep their borders open and avoid travel and trade restrictions as “such measures are usually implemented out of fear and have no basis in science.”

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They did, however, advise member states to issue travel warnings and prepare to “facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals” exposed to the disease, which is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

Ebola is a highly contagious disease that can be contracted via bodily fluids. While rare, the disease is severe and often fatal, although Health Canada said as recently as January 2025 that the risk to Canadians was very low.

An email seeking a comment from Health Canada, including whether they considered the risk to Canadians to still be very low, was not immediately returned.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also believes the risk to Americans is low and Dr. Satish Pillai, who is managing their response to the outbreak, said they were working with other health officials to “ensure the outbreak is managed and prevent further spread of Ebola,” according to The Associated Press.

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