WHO Declares DRC Ebola Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (healthygateways.eu)

• The WHO declared the DRC Ebola outbreak a PHEIC on 26 May 2026.
• The decision follows recommendations from the Emergency Committee citing regional spread risks.
• The PHEIC activates international coordination and health measures under IHR (2005).

"On 26 May 2026, the World Health Organization declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration triggers enhanced global coordination, travel and trade recommendations, and activates the WHO R&D Blueprint. The decision follows a meeting of the Emergency Committee, which cited the risk of regional spread and challenges in health system capacity. The PHEIC aims to mobilize international resources under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to contain the outbreak."