{"id":911537,"date":"2026-06-09T15:14:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-in-central-africa-emergency-of-international-concern\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T15:14:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:14:44","slug":"who-declares-ebola-outbreak-in-central-africa-emergency-of-international-concern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-in-central-africa-emergency-of-international-concern\/","title":{"rendered":"WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Central Africa emergency of international concern"},"content":{"rendered":"<article aria-labelledby=\"articleTitle\" data-wcm-id=\"2eac1c70-8abd-4a6f-b64c-577814d915ea\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Global body stops short of declaring the outbreak a pandemic emergency<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span>Published May 17, 2026<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>Last updated May 18, 2026<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>2 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=QENBUQjQA5aiBpMop_G9IQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=geYDL68zXY7wCxZuvl1rtA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=0u4nj85UdHSAEoeFQ10-CA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=3BN48Ln5J1DneH6eREDVpw 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=ubo8R7pEK8yhNgSSo6YSDg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=Vva0he4K_SUMOOzsc_UD-g 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=KmBPHe4_aSqMQqHEs5RAzw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=6Qu1dh71HUZkeT1dFuDNog 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=YC7ztgqwxmWO3pAyfZiP9Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=b6YHP3CyjBx60v0zCTbPDA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img alt=\"Men stand outside an Ebola treatment centre in the remote Bulape Health Zone, Kasa\u00ef province, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept 7, 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=Aq8yPrlKqr3GpEgOqzS1JA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=Aq8yPrlKqr3GpEgOqzS1JA,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/68e6ec73a8106cc00a63b695jpeg-e1759965681895.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=-Nto4MXqgJKKxe0HNB1aIw 2x\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"658\" width=\"877\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>FILE &#8211; In this photo provided by Doctors Without Borders, men stand outside an Ebola treatment centre in the remote Bulape Health Zone, Kasa\u00ef province, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sept 7, 2025, that was set up following the outbreak of the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. (MSF via AP, File)<\/span> <span>AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>\n<p>The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa as a public health emergency of international concern after more than 300 suspected cases and at least 88 deaths were reported.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Toronto Sun\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The global body stopped short of declaring the outbreak of a rare virus that causes the disease a pandemic emergency despite cases being reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, including two laboratory-confirmed cases with no apparent links to each other.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, the WHO described the situation as \u201cextraordinary\u201d and called on the DRC and Uganda to ramp up high-level engagement and \u201cactivate\u201d their national emergency management mechanisms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNeighbouring countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel linkages and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty,\u201d the WHO said on Sunday in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The WHO said countries that do not border the DRC are advised to keep their borders open and avoid travel and trade restrictions as \u201csuch measures are usually implemented out of fear and have no basis in science.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3>RECOMMENDED VIDEO<\/h3>\n<div data-aqa=\"embed-video\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Loading...\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.4.0\/websites\/images\/common\/icon-spinner-animated.svg\" width=\"64\"><\/p>\n<div fallback>\n<p>We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>They did, however, advise member states to issue travel warnings and prepare to \u201cfacilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals\u201d exposed to the disease, which is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.<\/p>\n<p>Ebola is a highly contagious disease that can be contracted via bodily fluids. While rare, the disease is severe and often fatal, although Health Canada said as recently as January 2025 that the risk to Canadians was very low.<\/p>\n<p>An email seeking a comment from Health Canada, including whether they considered the risk to Canadians to still be very low, was not immediately returned.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also believes the risk to Americans is low and Dr. Satish Pillai, who is managing their response to the outbreak, said they were working with other health officials to \u201censure the outbreak is managed and prevent further spread of Ebola,\u201d according to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel477800066301091737705691511521280\" data-aqa=\"embed-more-topic\" data-carousel-component data-carousel-icon-button data-carousel-type=\"list\">\n<p>Read More<\/p>\n<ol data-carousel-slide-list tabindex=\"0\">\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"Ebola outbreak in Congo shows signs of containment with no new cases: WHO\", \"widget_title\": \"read-more\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/ebola-outbreak-in-congo-shows-signs-of-containment-with-no-new-cases-who\", \"target_article_title\": \"Ebola outbreak in Congo shows signs of containment with no new cases: WHO\", \"target_article_position\": \"0\", \"layout_section\": \"read-more\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/ebola-outbreak-in-congo-shows-signs-of-containment-with-no-new-cases-who\">\n<p><span>Ebola outbreak in Congo shows signs of containment with no new cases: WHO<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"WHO opens annual assembly as UN health agency faces u2019existential crisisu2019 in wake of U.S. funding cuts\", \"widget_title\": \"read-more\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/who-opens-annual-assembly-as-un-health-agency-faces-existential-crisis-in-wake-of-u-s-funding-cuts\", \"target_article_title\": \"WHO opens annual assembly as UN health agency faces u2019existential crisisu2019 in wake of U.S. funding cuts\", \"target_article_position\": \"1\", \"layout_section\": \"read-more\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/who-opens-annual-assembly-as-un-health-agency-faces-existential-crisis-in-wake-of-u-s-funding-cuts\">\n<p><span>WHO opens annual assembly as UN health agency faces \u2019existential crisis\u2019 in wake of U.S. funding cuts<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p> Jordan Ercit<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/world\/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-international-concern\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Global body stops short of declaring the outbreak a pandemic emergency Published May 17, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated May 18, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read FILE &#8211; In this photo provided by Doctors Without Borders, men stand outside an Ebola treatment centre in the remote Bulape Health Zone, Kasa\u00ef province, the Democratic Republic of Congo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":911538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3678,23228],"tags":[5545,14228],"class_list":["post-911537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-declares","category-ebola","tag-declares","tag-ebola"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=911537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/911538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=911537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=911537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=911537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}