WHO is concerned about the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

VTV.vn - The WHO Director-General warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rapidly escalating, with at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths.

Medical supplies are stacked inside a warehouse at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 18, 2026. (Photo: AP)

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “very concerned” about the scale and speed of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Tedros, since the new outbreak began, the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded at least 500 suspected Ebola cases and 130 suspected related deaths. Of these, 30 have been confirmed in Ituri province in the northeast of the country. Uganda has also recorded one case and one death in the capital Kampala, while a US citizen tested positive and has been transferred to Germany.

Speaking to members of the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Tedros said these numbers could change as field activities expand, including increased surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory testing.

In the early hours of May 17th, Tedros declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest alert level set by the WHO for a health event with the potential to spread to multiple countries. On May 19th, he stated that this was the first time a WHO Director-General had issued a PHEIC declaration before convening an emergency committee.

Medical staff inspect supplies at a World Health Organization (WHO) warehouse in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 18, 2026. (Photo: AP)

The WHO is expected to convene an emergency committee on May 19 to advise on recommendations for controlling the outbreak. Tedros said the emergence of cases in urban areas is concerning, as the virus is typically more easily transmitted in densely populated environments. Cases among healthcare workers also highlight the risk of spread in clinics and hospitals.

The province of Ituri, where the majority of cases have been recorded, is in a state of severe instability. According to Tedros, conflict in the region has increased since late 2025 and escalated sharply in the last two months, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and the displacement of more than 100,000 new residents.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or animals. The disease can cause high fever, vomiting, and internal and external bleeding. According to the WHO, the average mortality rate of Ebola is around 50%, but it has fluctuated between 25% and 90% in previous outbreaks.

Source: https://vtv.vn/who-lo-ngai-dich-ebola-lan-rong-tai-chdc-congo-100260519182033883.htm