Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
On 17 May 2026, the Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the epidemic of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but it does not meet pandemic emergency criteria under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).
Following this determination, the DG convened the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on 19 May 2026, which agreed with the assessment of the event as a PHEIC but not a pandemic emergency. The Committee noted the operational challenges in the affected countries and emphasized that responses should consider key contextual factors to improve success.
As of 22 May 2026, the WHO Secretariat assessed the epidemic risk as "very high" for the DRC and "high" for Uganda. The epidemiological situations differ in magnitude between the two States Parties.
The DG issued temporary recommendations for all States Parties to respond to and prepare for the PHEIC, respecting the dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms of individuals, as outlined in Article 3 of the IHR. These recommendations are tailored to the specific public health risks faced by different groups of States Parties.
WHO will continue updating interim technical guidance on the epidemic to reflect evolving scientific evidence, changes in the situation, and risk assessments.