WHO Declares PHEIC for Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak in DRC and Uganda
7 verified4 unconfirmed1 contested
The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern on May 17 for an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The declaration, which the WHO director-general determined after consulting affected states parties, does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency. No approved therapeutics or vaccines currently exist for the Bundibugyo virus strain. Uganda reported two confirmed cases with epidemiological links to the DRC by late May, while the outbreak in the DRC has spread across multiple health zones in Ituri Province. By mid-June, WHO staff in the field faced death threats and only about half of contacts were being monitored, reflecting deep community mistrust and competing crises of conflict and hunger. The WHO has issued temporary recommendations focusing on surveillance, community engagement, and infection prevention, while acknowledging the extremely challenging operational environment.
What’s verified
The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, but it does not meet pandemic emergency criteria.
The outbreak involves Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
No approved therapeutics or vaccines currently exist for Bundibugyo virus.
Uganda reported two confirmed cases with epidemiological links to the DRC as of late May.
The outbreak is occurring in a region with ongoing armed conflict, a humanitarian crisis, and high population mobility.
Community mistrust and lack of engagement have hindered outbreak response efforts.
The WHO issued temporary recommendations for states parties to respond to and prepare for the event.
Where accounts differ
One source states that as of May 16, among the two confirmed cases in Uganda, one had died. Another source, reporting as of May 22, mentions two confirmed cases in Uganda without noting any deaths.
Not yet confirmed
The exact number of suspected cases and deaths in the DRC as of mid-May (8 confirmed, 246 suspected, 80 deaths) comes from a single report.
The current contact tracing rate on specific dates (28.4% on June 11) is reported by only one source.
Details of WHO staff receiving death threats and community members believing the outbreak is a hoax are reported by only one source.
Whether a case in Kinshasa was confirmed or tested negative is not addressed by multiple sources.
Misconceptions
Sources report that some community members believe the Ebola outbreak is a hoax or a conspiracy invented by foreign forces to make money.
Community leaders expressed the misconception that the world only cares about Ebola because it fears the disease spreading beyond the DRC, not to save local lives.
Key figures
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
Sources: World Health Organization, statnews.com
