Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · May 22
WHO Declares DRC-Uganda Bundibugyo Ebola a PHEIC, Issues 21-Day Contact Rules
Updated
Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · May 22
WHO Declares DRC-Uganda Bundibugyo Ebola a PHEIC, Issues 21-Day Contact Rules
22 articles · Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · May 22
WHO on May 17 classified the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern, while saying it does not meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency.
The agency issued temporary recommendations after an IHR Emergency Committee meeting, telling affected countries to intensify surveillance, isolate cases, trace contacts for 21 days and report suspected, probable and confirmed cases to WHO daily.
As of May 22, WHO rated risk as "very high" in DRC, "high" in Uganda and "high" regionally; Uganda had 2 confirmed cases, both linked to transmission areas in DRC, with no onward spread among contacts documented.
WHO said the outbreak is unfolding in an exceptionally difficult operating environment and noted there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus, making public-health measures the main tool for containment.
The guidance stops short of recommending flight suspensions or entry bans, instead urging exit screening, cross-border coordination, rapid investigation within 24 hours and quarterly reporting by all states on implementation.
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Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Triggers WHO International Emergency: 246 Suspected Cases, 80 Deaths in DRC and Uganda
Overview
On May 21, 2026, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This urgent decision followed consultations with affected countries and was strongly supported by the International Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate global action. The outbreak began in Ituri Province, where WHO was alerted to a deadly, unknown disease affecting even healthcare workers, signaling the start of a crisis that required swift international attention.