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The World Health Organization has declared the African Ebola outbreak an international health emergency
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At least six Americans have been exposed
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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk to the American public is low
MONDAY, May 18, 2026 (NewsDay News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) an international public health emergency.
The declaration means that there is a high risk of cross-border spread and that international cooperation is likely to be necessary to contain the threat. StatNews reported.
The United States withdrew from the WHO under the Trump administration earlier this year StatNews noted, which may affect the country’s access to basic infectious disease information.
While warning that the outbreak could be “much larger” than previously thought, the WHO said it did not yet meet pandemic criteria.
As of Sunday, there were reports of 10 confirmed cases and 336 suspected cases, including 88 deaths in Congo, as well as two confirmed cases, including one death, in Uganda. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At least six Americans in Congo are at high risk BBC reported and one of them is thought to have developed symptoms.
The CDC website says the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.
The CDC supports the “safe evacuation of a small number of Americans directly affected by outbreak areas,” the website adds.
The US government is trying to arrange for the safe transportation of these Americans to a safe quarantine location.
At Sunday’s news conference, the agency would not answer any direct questions about the affected Americans. BBC.
The current strain of Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the virusesfour types of orthoebolavirusesAccording to the CDC, which causes Ebola in humans. There is currently no vaccine or medicine for the Bundibugyo virus.
Patients reportedly experienced classic Ebola symptoms, such as fever, headache, vomiting, severe weakness, abdominal pain, nosebleeds and vomiting, the CDC said.
According to the CDC, most Ebola cases in Congo have been in people between the ages of 20 and 39, with two-thirds of patients being women.
While noting that the risk to the American public is “very low,” the CDC said in a statement that it “continues to assess the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available.”
Posted by USA The fourth level advisory – its most severe – warning against travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and health precautions to prevent Ebola from entering the United States.
More information
Additional information about the current situation is available on the site US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sources: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 May 2026; BBCMay 18, 2026; StatNewsMay 17, 2026
What does this mean for you?
People who have traveled from affected countries should contact the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for travel health notifications. Those who develop symptoms of Ebola within 21 days of travel should see a doctor immediately.
