The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), even as Ugandan authorities continue to reassure the public that the situation is under control.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press conference that he had initially declared the outbreak an international emergency on Sunday, pending review by an emergency committee due to the unusual nature of the epidemic.
He noted that the committee of experts met on Tuesday and concluded that the outbreak meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Dr. Tedros clarified that while a pandemic refers to disease spread across countries or continents, the current Ebola outbreak—linked to the Bundibugyo strain—is classified as an epidemic with significant international public health implications.
According to WHO data, the Democratic Republic of Congo had recorded 51 confirmed cases by Wednesday morning, while Uganda had registered two confirmed cases, including one death.
He warned that additional cases could still emerge due to delays in detecting infections and the fact that transmission has already reached urban areas with high population movement, increasing the risk of further spread across borders.
The WHO continues to work with national health authorities in both countries to strengthen surveillance, response, and containment measures.
By Newsroom
20th May 2026
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