The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday, May 17, 2026, following the spread of an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
According to WHO reports, as of May 18, 2026, there have been 142 confirmed cases and 78 deaths across the two countries. The outbreak began in early April in the DRC's North Kivu province and has since spread to neighboring Uganda.
Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a Moroccan epidemiologist, stated that Morocco is on alert but not worried, as the country has robust surveillance systems and experience from previous outbreaks. He emphasized that the risk of importation is low due to strict screening at ports of entry.
WHO is coordinating with health authorities in both countries to implement containment measures, including contact tracing, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement. The Bundibugyo virus is one of the six species of Ebolavirus and has a lower fatality rate than the Zaire strain but still poses significant public health risks.
