The Ebola Outbreak in Africa Was Declared a Global Health Emergency by the WHO. Here's What to Know About the Rare but Severe Illness
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The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. Despite this, the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, and the CDC indicates a low risk to the American public. The declaration aims to mobilize international resources to combat the spread of the disease.
- ▪The WHO reported ten confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, with over 300 suspected cases and nearly 90 suspected deaths.
- ▪The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.
- ▪Public health experts express concern that the outbreak was reported too late for an effective response.
27 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 41 hours. Coverage spans 4 points on the political spectrum — 5 lean left, 19 centre, 1 lean right, 1 right.
- ▪ US tightens Ebola precautions as outbreak declared international emergency — France 24 (EN)
- ▪ Ebola Was Identified in Congo Weeks Before W.H.O. Declared an Emergency — NYT > Top Stories
- ▪ Deadly Ebola outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern, WHO declares — Live Science
- ▪ Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda Declared Global Emergency — TODAY.com
- ▪ Sen. Bill Cassidy loses primary. And, WHO declares Ebola outbreak a global emergency — NPR — News
- ▪ WHO declares Ebola outbreak an emergency of international concern — r/wallstreetbets
- ▪ What to know about Ebola outbreak after WHO sounds global alarm — Straits Times — World
- ▪ Uganda responds with emergency measures to Ebola outbreak — Al Jazeera English
- ▪ WHO calls Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda an emergency of international concern — Japan Times
- ▪ Transcript - Update on Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, 5/17/2026 — CDC Newsroom
- ▪ Congo's Ebola outbreak declared global health emergency — r/news
- ▪ WHO Declares Global Emergency Over Ebola Strain With No Vaccine. Here's What To Know — TIME — Top
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| Original publisher | Smithsonian Magazine |
| Canonical URL | https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-ebola-outbreak-in-africa-was-declared-a-global-health-emergency-by-the-who-heres-what-to-know-about-the-rare-but-severe-illness-180988758/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 19:16:20 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-18T19:24:56.942Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T19:24:56.942Z |
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| Cluster | OZs5opYjqu1j · 56 stories |
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The Ebola Outbreak in Africa Was Declared a Global Health Emergency by the WHO. Here’s What to Know About the Rare but Severe Illness The international health agency notes that the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the risk to the American public is low Sara Hashemi | Daily Correspondent May 18, 2026 3:16 p.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source A visitor washes his hands before entering a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of Ebola prevention measures.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Smithsonian Magazine.
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