WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Central Africa a public health emergency after 80 suspected deaths

close Video No known cases of hantavirus in US as officials continue to monitor potential exposure Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel explains bio-containment efforts for hantavirus and praises Dr. David Brett-Major, an infectious diseases physician, for his work on 'Fox & Friends Weekend.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 3 Min The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa an international public health emergency on Sunday after dozens of suspected deaths were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, the WHO said. The declaration follows reports of 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases as of Saturday across at least three health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. The development comes as global health officials continue monitoring a rare hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which left multiple passengers and crew members sick, and caused three deaths. NEW Ebola OUTBREAK LEAVES 65 DEAD AS OFFICIALS WARN OF CROSS-BORDER SPREAD A health worker sprays disinfectant on a colleague after working at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, eastern Congo, on Sept. 9, 2018. (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP) As of May 13, the WHO said 11 hantavirus cases had been identified in connection with the cruise outbreak, including eight confirmed cases, two probable cases and one inconclusive case. In neighboring Uganda’s capital, Kampala, the WHO said two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases — including one death — were reported Friday and Saturday involving people who had traveled from the DRC. Another laboratory-confirmed case was reported in the DRC capital of Kinshasa involving a person returning from Ituri province. Initial tests suggested the outbreak does not involve the Ebola-zaire" class="entity-link entity-topic" data-entity-id="127731" data-entity-type="topic">Ebola Zaire strain, which caused Congo’s devastating 2018–2020 epidemic that killed more than 1,000 people. Ebola OUTBREAK REPORTED IN AFRICAN COUNTRY — HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Health workers wearing protective suits tend to an Ebola victim in an isolation tent in Beni, Congo, on July 13, 2019. (Jerome Delay/AP) However, unlike Ebola-Zaire strains, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain, which the WHO described as making the outbreak "extraordinary." The WHO warned the outbreak could be larger than currently reported due to the high positivity rate among initial samples and the growing number of suspected cases. The outbreak also poses a public health risk to other countries, the WHO said, urging nations to activate emergency-management systems and implement cross-border screening measures. ‘DISEASE X’ HAS KILLED DOZENS IN THE CONGO — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MYSTERY ILLNESS Ambulances parked at Bunia General Referral Hospital following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 16, 2026. (REUTERS/Victoire Mukenge) Ebola is a highly contagious and often fatal disease spread through bodily fluids, including blood, vomit and semen. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and internal bleeding. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently said Congo has a "strong track record" responding to Ebola outbreaks while announcing the release of $500,000 in emergency funding to support containment efforts. The WHO said it will convene an emergency committee to review recommendations for how affected countries should respond. Health workers dressed in protective gear begin their shift at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, Congo, on July 16, 2019. (Jerome Delay/AP) The organization did not recommend border closures or travel restrictions. Congo has now recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976. Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Brittany Miller, along with Reuters, contributed to this report. Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!