The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on May 17.
While this situation does not reach the level of a pandemic, it signals a serious international health risk.
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For an outbreak to be declared a PHEIC, it must meet three key conditions: the event must be extraordinary, meaning the health situation is serious, sudden, unusual, or unexpected; there must be a risk of international spread, with the disease potentially crossing borders; and the situation must require a coordinated response, calling for immediate international cooperation to manage it effectively.
Implications of the declaration
Declaring a PHEIC spurs global action by motivating donor agencies, health organisations, and governments to respond, providing funding and expediting the deployment of medical supplies, vaccines, and diagnostic tests.
The WHO issues temporary guidance for affected and at-risk countries, including disease surveillance, community awareness, and screening measures.
The declaration also balances public health with trade and travel, avoiding unnecessary border closures while promoting targeted interventions. Affected countries must report cases and deaths, while WHO monitors the situation and may eventually declare the emergency over once the risk is contained.
Historically, PHEICs have been declared for H1N1 (swine flu) in 2009, polio resurgence in 2014, Ebola in West Africa in 2014–2016, Zika in 2016, COVID-19 in 2020, and monkeypox (Mpox) in 2022. These declarations coordinated international responses, prevented cross-border spread, and provided technical and logistical support.
The decision to declare a global health emergency is made by the WHO Director-General, advised by an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, a panel of independent experts.
A PHEIC ends when the outbreak no longer poses a major international threat and global coordination is no longer necessary. Even after the emergency ends, monitoring and guidance may continue to prevent future outbreaks.
About Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD)
According to WHO, the Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the Orthoebolavirus species. It is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected as the natural reservoir.
Humans are infected through close contact with infected wildlife and can spread the virus to others via blood, secretions, or contaminated surfaces.
The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, with people becoming infectious only after symptom onset. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, which can delay detection.
Symptoms may progress to gastrointestinal issues, organ dysfunction, and sometimes hemorrhagic manifestations.