The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, following a resurgence of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This marks the first PHEIC for Ebola since the 2018-2020 outbreak in the same region.
According to WHO reports, the outbreak began in early May 2026 in the North Kivu province, with at least 15 confirmed cases and 8 deaths as of May 16. Health authorities have identified the Zaire strain of the virus, which is the same strain targeted by the licensed Ebola vaccine.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the decision was based on the rapid spread of the virus, the risk of cross-border transmission to neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda, and the ongoing challenges posed by conflict and displacement in the region. The DRC Ministry of Health has launched a vaccination campaign targeting high-risk populations.
International partners, including Médecins Sans Frontières and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are supporting the DRC's response efforts. The WHO has released $10 million from its emergency fund to bolster containment measures.
