WHO Declares PHEIC for Bundibugyo Ebola — Without Emergency Committee

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), marking the 8th PHEIC declaration under modern IHR and the first ever issued without prior consultation with an Emergency Committee. The Director-General cited the high positivity rate of initial samples, confirmation of imported cases in Kampala, escalating suspected case trends, and ongoing armed conflict in Ituri as compounding the risk. As of 16 May, 8 laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in Ituri Province, DRC. The DG subsequently convened the IHR Emergency Committee for May 19.