health
At least 80 dead as Congo grapples with Ebola outbreak; WHO declares public health emergency
Updated on: May 16, 2026 / 8:34 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- At least 80 deaths have been reported in Congo's new Ebola outbreak in Ituri province.
- The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern.'
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a variant of Ebola that has been less prominent in past outbreaks.
- There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this strain of Ebola.
- The suspected index case was a nurse who died on April 24.
- Uganda has confirmed one Ebola case that was 'imported' from Congo.
- Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders is preparing a 'large-scale response.'
- Kenya has strengthened surveillance at points of entry due to moderate risk of importation.
- Experts worry about the U.S. capacity to respond quickly to global outbreaks due to aid cuts and withdrawal from the WHO.