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WHO Declares PHEIC for Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Across DRC and Uganda; 80 Suspected Deaths Reported

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
16 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:80 suspected deaths8 lab-confirmed cases246 suspected cases
Bodies:WHO
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for an Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda.

2.The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics.

3.The situation poses a high risk of international spread, with cases already reported in Kampala and Kinshasa from travelers.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda, with 80 suspected deaths. This is critical as the Bundibugyo strain lacks approved vaccines or therapeutics, posing a high risk of international spread.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Virus StrainBundibugyo virus
Suspected Deaths (as of date)80
Laboratory-Confirmed Cases8
Suspected Cases246
Affected CountriesDRC (Ituri province), Uganda
WHO DeclarationPublic Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Virus Strain: Bundibugyo virus
  • ›Suspected Deaths (as of date): 80
  • ›Target this Data: 80 suspected deaths, 8 lab-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases in DRC's Ituri province.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the PHEIC.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) framework under which PHEIC is declared.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which international framework does the WHO declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Ebola outbreak mentioned in the news:

1. The outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO.

2. The outbreak is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, for which vaccines are available.

3. Laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported in the capitals of both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news article, how many suspected deaths from the Ebola outbreak were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province as of the given date?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary reason cited by the WHO for the 'extraordinary' nature of the Bundibugyo virus outbreak?

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