Ebola: WHO Declares Global Health Emergency; 80 Deaths from Ebola Virus in Congo…

New Delhi: On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak spreading across Congo and Uganda an International Public Health Emergency (Global Health Emergency). However, the WHO clarified that this infection—caused by the Bundibugyo virus—does not meet the criteria required to be declared a pandemic.

According to the UN health agency, as of Saturday, the Ituri province of Congo has reported 80 suspected deaths, 8 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases across at least three health zones (Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu).

What is Ebola?
Ebola is a disease caused by a highly dangerous virus. While the infection is rare, it is extremely severe and, in many cases, proves to be fatal.

The virus spreads from one person to another through contact with the bodily fluids—such as blood, vomit, sweat, or semen—of an infected individual. There is currently no definitive cure for it, although a vaccine is available.

4 Healthcare Workers Also Die
Notably, on May 15 and 16, 2026, two laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded in Kampala, Uganda, involving two individuals who had traveled from Congo; despite having no apparent connection to one another, both tested positive. Cases of death exhibiting symptoms of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) have been reported across several health zones in Ituri. Furthermore, reports have emerged regarding the deaths of four healthcare workers in the affected region due to symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever.

The Director-General of the WHO is set to convene an emergency committee meeting shortly, in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR). International coordination is deemed necessary to combat this virus, in order to fully assess the severity and extent of the outbreak. Along with this, surveillance and prevention efforts can be made successful.