Kinshasa: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international health emergency on May 17, 2026, following the resurgence of the Ebola virus disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with around one hundred deaths and more than 500 suspected cases recorded.

According to Burkina Information Agency, as of May 19, more than one hundred deaths and 500 suspected cases of Ebola virus disease have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The epidemic is primarily affecting the eastern region of the DRC, particularly in Ituri province. Surveillance efforts have been extended to Uganda, where at least two cases have been confirmed, including one in the capital city, Kampala.

Ebola is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, and human-to-human transmission occurs through bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, or feces. WHO specialists explain that the virus can spread from mother to child, between spouses, from patients to caregivers, and from the bodies of victims to grieving relatives.

The main symptoms of Ebola include fever, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The average case fatality rate, which measures the number of deaths among infected individuals, is approximately 50%. Health experts note that in previous outbreaks, this rate has ranged from 25% to 90%.