This market asks whether WHO will formally declare the 2026 Ebola outbreak a pandemic by December 31, 2026. The WHO Director-General explicitly determined on May 17, 2026 that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) but "does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency, as defined in the IHR." This is a direct官方 statement from WHO ruling out pandemic status. The outbreak involves 321 confirmed cases in DRC and 15 in Uganda, with regional response underway including a WHO DG visit to the epicenter in late May. Per the market rules, a PHEIC declaration does not satisfy the pandemic declaration criteria. The quote remains low because WHO has already publicly stated the outbreak does not meet pandemic thresholds, and there is no indication this position has changed.
EAC will hold an extraordinary virtual meeting of health ministers on June 1-2, 2026 to deliberate on regional actions to curb the outbreak. Partner states including Kenya have stepped up preparedness measures.
Tedros visited Ituri province in late May 2026 to oversee containment efforts as cases outpace response
Uganda's Ministry of Health confirmed two new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 9 confirmed cases. At least three cases were linked to travel from DRC, with the outbreak spreading to Kampala.
Uganda sealed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as confirmed cases exceeded 100 and fears of further spread grew
Africa CDC approved emergency funding to support response efforts in DRC and Uganda as outbreak intensified
