WHO official warns vs. underestimating risks posed by Ebola outbreak

It would be a mistake to underestimate the risk posed by the Ebola outbreak, the WHO regional director for Africa told Reuters on Friday, warning that just one case could spread the virus beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Emma Farge/Reuters

22 May 2026 at 12:01:03

WHO official warns vs. underestimating risks posed by Ebola outbreak

Red Cross workers walk in a formation as they disinfect Rwampara general hospital before handling the body of a person who died of Ebola, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Rwampara outside Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 21, 2026.

Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters

GENEVA- It would be a mistake to underestimate the risk posed by the Ebola outbreak, the WHO regional director for Africa told Reuters on Friday, warning that just one case could spread the virus beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

“It would be a big mistake to underestimate it, especially with a virus with this strain Bundibugyo, (for) which we don't have the vaccine," Mohamed Yakub Janabi said in an interview at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

"So I would really encourage everyone, let's help each other, we can bring this thing into control," he said.

He added that the outbreak of Ebola in Congo has had relatively little global attention compared with this month's hantavirus outbreak, which affected cruise ship passengers from 23 countries including major powers.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Friederike Heine)