The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to an estimated 131 among 513 suspected cases, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said Tuesday. The World Health Organization will hold an emergency committee meeting to discuss vaccine options for the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has no approved treatments. The outbreak has begun spreading into Uganda, prompting a global health emergency declaration.

May 19, 2026

World

WHO chief 'deeply concerned' as Ebola cases and deaths surge in DR Congo

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the size and speed of the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, where at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths have been reported. Cases have spread to Uganda and Germany, and insecurity in Ituri province is complicating the response.

May 19, 2026

World

WHO Rejects Proposal to Invite Taiwan to Annual Assembly

WHO member states on May 14 rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to the annual assembly in Geneva, following China's vow to block the territory's participation. The decision underscores adherence to the One-China principle amid ongoing political tensions.

May 19, 2026

World

WHO Responding to ‘Complex, Difficult’ Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a ‘complex and difficult’ Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Health workers are struggling to contain the spread of the virus amid security challenges and limited healthcare infrastructure.

May 19, 2026

World

Scientists Race to Contain Rare Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak in Uganda

Scientists are racing to contain a new outbreak of the rare but deadly Bundibugyo Ebola strain in Uganda. Local health authorities, with WHO support, have deployed rapid response teams, established quarantine zones, and stepped up surveillance. No specific vaccine exists for this strain, putting immense pressure on the health system.

May 19, 2026

World

WHO warns Ebola outbreak in DRC could rage for weeks amid funding shortfall

The World Health Organization warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been ongoing for weeks and is at risk of spreading due to a severe funding shortfall. Testing, contact tracing, and vaccination campaigns have stalled, raising the death risk.

May 18, 2026

World

WHO Chief Warns Budget Cuts Risk Outbreaks of Cholera, Ebola, and Hantavirus

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that cuts in global health aid, especially from major donors like the U.S., are undermining epidemic response systems and raising the risk of Ebola, hantavirus, and cholera outbreaks. The organization calls for sustained international funding to protect global health security.

May 18, 2026

World

Ebola and Hantavirus: Is the World Ready for the Next Pandemic?

The WHO has declared Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC a public health emergency while countries battle a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise. Amid a severe WHO funding crisis and growing anti-vaccine sentiment, experts question whether the world is better or worse prepared for the next pandemic. Despite budget cuts, notable progress in vaccine technology and global surveillance offers some hope.

May 18, 2026

World

WHO Declares Global Emergency Over Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda

The WHO declared a global health emergency on July 17 for the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda. The outbreak has caused over 3,000 cases and 2,000 deaths in Congo, plus 23 deaths in Uganda. The agency called for urgent international support to contain the virus.

May 18, 2026

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World

WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a global health emergency, its highest alert level, citing over 1,600 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, mainly in two conflict-affected provinces. The WHO called for stronger international coordination to contain the disease but said travel and trade restrictions are not needed.

May 17, 2026

World

WHO warns Ebola outbreak in Ituri, DRC may be larger than reported

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, DRC, may be larger than reported, with many suspected cases and deaths untested. It calls for expanded testing, contact tracing, and border vigilance to prevent a wider epidemic.

May 17, 2026

World

WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Over Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda

The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The outbreak, which began in August 2018, has caused more than 2,500 infections and over 1,600 deaths. This is the deadliest Ebola epidemic since the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa.

May 17, 2026

World

WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a global health emergency due to the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no vaccine or treatment. As of April 26, 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases have been reported, with the first case traced to a nurse in Ituri province.

May 17, 2026

World

WHO declares global emergency over Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda

The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a global health emergency after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths. The rare Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatment or vaccine, and officials warn the outbreak could be larger than reported. The health agency urged neighboring countries to activate emergency measures and avoid border closures.

May 17, 2026

World

Uganda and DR Congo Face New Ebola Wave, WHO Bolsters Control Measures

The WHO has confirmed rising Ebola cases in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting emergency response deployment. Rapid teams are mobilizing along the border for containment, contact tracing, and vaccination. Both countries have a history of severe outbreaks, and the current situation is assessed as high-risk.

May 16, 2026

World

WHO Confirms 10 Global Hantavirus Cases; Hondius Crew Asymptomatic

The WHO has confirmed 10 global hantavirus cases, adjusting the count down from 11 after one individual tested negative. All crew of the MV Hondius remain asymptomatic, but officials warn of possible further cases due to the long incubation period.

May 15, 2026

World

Spain Confirms Another Hantavirus Case in Cruise Ship Passenger

Spain confirmed a new hantavirus case in a passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship. The WHO reports 11 cases and 3 deaths linked to the vessel, with most involving the rare Andes strain. All 122 people have left the ship, and the vessel is returning to the Netherlands for decontamination.

May 12, 2026

World

Last Evacuees from Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship Land in Netherlands; US Passenger Tests Positive

The last two evacuation flights from the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship have landed in the Netherlands. A repatriated American passenger has tested positive for the virus, though the WHO maintains the risk to the general public is low. Three people have died since the outbreak began.

May 12, 2026

World

Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship to Dock in Spain's Canary Islands

A cruise ship with a hantavirus outbreak is heading to Spain's Canary Islands, where 140 passengers and crew will be quarantined and repatriated. At least eight people have fallen ill and three have died. The WHO says the risk of community spread is low.

May 9, 2026

World

WHO confirms 5 hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship

The World Health Organization has confirmed five hantavirus infections, including three deaths, tied to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. WHO assesses public health risk as low but warns more cases may emerge due to the virus's long incubation period. The infected strain, Andes virus, is the only hantavirus known to transmit between humans under close contact.

May 7, 2026

World

Canary Islands Refuse Entry to Cruise Ship Suspected of Hantavirus Outbreak

Authorities in the Canary Islands have refused to let the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius dock after a hantavirus outbreak killed three people, overruling the Spanish government's permission. Around 150 people from 23 countries remain stranded as the WHO assesses the public risk as 'low.'

May 6, 2026

World

WHO Confirms Two Hantavirus Cases, Five Suspected Infections on Cruise Ship Stranded off Africa

The WHO confirmed two hantavirus cases and five suspected infections on the MV Hondius cruise ship stranded near Cape Verde. Three people have died, one is in critical condition, and three have mild symptoms. The risk of community spread is low, and Spain is preparing to receive the vessel.

May 5, 2026

World

What Is Hantavirus, Suspected in Three Deaths on a Cruise Ship?

Three people aboard the Dutch-operated cruise ship MV Hondius have died in a suspected outbreak of Hantavirus. The WHO says the risk to the broader public remains low. One case has been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing.

May 4, 2026

World

Cruise ship suspected of carrying hantavirus outbreak denied port in Cape Verde

Cape Verde has denied entry to the MV Hondius cruise ship after three passengers died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The vessel is anchored offshore with 147 people on board, and health authorities are coordinating with the Netherlands and UK. One case has been laboratory-confirmed, with five additional suspected cases, including a British tourist in intensive care.

May 4, 2026