politics
WHO Reports Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda
The World Health Organization said an Ebola outbreak has caused at least 130 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Officials cited a rare strain and regional conflict as complicating factors.
May 19, 4:58 PM·1m read1 source
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The World Health Organization reported on Tuesday that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has resulted in at least 130 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the outbreak.
He noted emerging cases in urban areas including Uganda's capital, Kampala, and Goma in Congo.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which standard field tests often miss and for which there are no vaccines or therapeutics. Tedros said the virus had been spreading undetected for weeks or months in Ituri Province. The province borders South Sudan and Uganda and has seen intensified conflict since late 2025.
Tedros stated that over 100,000 people have been newly displaced and that the area is a mining zone with high population movement.
The State Department announced on Monday that it leveraged outbreak response and humanitarian assistance capabilities within 24 hours of learning of confirmed cases on May 15, 2026. A department spokesperson said funding and support to combat Ebola continue through a new bureau at the State Department.
Tedros said WHO has deployed people, supplies, equipment and funds, including millions from an emergency fund. He stated that the outbreaks of Ebola and hantavirus in the past two weeks show why international threats need an international response.
