Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
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Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
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Resolution Criteria
This market resolves to Yes if the World Health Organization declares a new “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC) on or before December 31, 2026.
A PHEIC is a formal declaration by the WHO Director-General, under the International Health Regulations, that an extraordinary public health event is occurring which risks international spread and requires a coordinated global response. For this market, we specifically require a new PHEIC declaration in the timeframe – meaning an emergency that is declared between 2024 and 2026. (Ongoing PHEICs that were declared prior to 2024, such as the existing one on polio, do not count as “new.”)
Examples that would count include the WHO DG publicly declaring an outbreak (e.g. a novel influenza strain, a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak, etc.) as a PHEIC during 2024, 2025, or 2026. The declaration is typically made after an Emergency Committee meeting and announced via WHO press release. If at least one such declaration is made by the end of 2026, the market resolves Yes. If no new PHEIC is declared in that period, it resolves No.
It doesn’t matter which disease or how many PHEICs – one is enough for “Yes.” If a PHEIC declared in 2026 is later rescinded, it still counts (the focus is on it being declared). We exclude mere extensions of pre-existing PHEICs; it must be a new emergency not already under a PHEIC status before 2024.
News
Dr. Congo Ebola outbreak ‘far from being under control’: WHO chief - The Japan Times
The WHO chief warned that the Congo Ebola outbreak is accelerating faster than any prior epidemic, is far from under control, and risks spreading to more countries, with officials playing catch-up after a late start.
No AuthorEbola Outbreak 2026: Deadliest Ever? WHO Warns of Unprecedented Crisis (2026)
The article warns that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola could become the deadliest outbreak yet, with over 4,300 cases and 2,000 deaths in months, delayed recognition due to conflict-driven surveillance gaps, no approved treatments for Bundibugyo, several vaccine development efforts underway (including repurposing Oxford/AstraZeneca tech) amid ongoing containment rather than eradication, and uncertainties about global health preparedness and response efficacy.
How Ebola became the deadliest outbreak in DR Congo’s history | Al Jazeera Mirror
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri province has become the deadliest in the country’s history, driven by the Bundibugyo virus with no licensed vaccines or specific therapies, as transmission began before official recognition, worsened by conflict, difficult terrain, delayed detection, and mistrust, and has resulted in over 4,900 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths three months after declaration.
Prosper Heri NgororaWHO Maintains Global Emergency as DRC Ebola Outbreak Worsens – Archyde
The WHO has kept the Ebola Public Health Emergency of International Concern in effect for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting nearly 5,000 infections and over 2,300 deaths, ongoing transmission risk, and the need for rapid case identification, contact tracing, and targeted vaccination/therapies to prevent further spread.
Dr. Priya Deshmukh - Senior Editor, HealthAfrica CDC, WHO sound the alarm as Ebola cases surpass 4,000 amid fear of virus mutation – Willow Health Media
The Africa CDC and WHO warn that Ebola cases in the DRC have surpassed 4,000 with 1,800 deaths in 12 weeks, explore potential cross-strain protection from the Zaire Ebola vaccine amid suspected Bundibugyo mutation, expand use of Remdesivir under compassionate protocols, mobilize a village-centered response with real-time surveillance and cross-border coordination, scale up laboratory capacity and vaccination, and emphasize rebuilding trust and community leadership as the core strategy.
Elisha SingiraWHO raises alarm as Bundibugyo virus outbreak nears 5,000 cases - Vanguard News
The WHO warns the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC is far from under control, nearing 5,000 infections and 2,300 deaths across 55 health zones in six provinces, with rapid, unprecedented spread; two new vaccines have entered human trials, treatment trials are underway, and a sped-up, cross-border response with stronger surveillance and community engagement is being deployed amid ongoing global risk.
NwaforDR Congo’s Ebola outbreak ‘global emergency’ as infections pass 5,000: WHO | Ebola News | Al Jazeera
The WHO has declared the Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak a global emergency as infections exceed 5,000 and deaths surpass 2,320, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history, with no approved vaccine or treatment for this Bundibugyo strain and response hampered by conflict, distrust, and logistical challenges.
Al Jazeera StaffDR Congo Ebola outbreak ‘far from being under control’, says WHO chief | FMT
The WHO warned that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak is expanding faster than any prior outbreak, risking regional spread, with over 2,300 deaths and about 5,000 cases amid insecurity, displacement, and weak health infrastructure, and authorities cautioning that transmission chains remain unchecked as efforts to escalate an near-community-based response continue.
AFPHigh-Profile Departures Shake Up WHO Leadership, Tedros 'Confidant' Returns - Health Policy Watch
The WHO is undergoing a leadership shake-up with two assistant directors-general, Jeremy Farrar and Yukiko Nakatani, leaving amid internal tensions and a funding shortfall, as Bruce Aylward steps in as ADG and Sylvie Briand acts in the interim, while regional leadership changes and a looming DG election add to the organisation’s crisis as it faces a $1.05 billion deficit and staff cuts.
Felix SassmannshausenWHO chief says Ebola outbreak in DR Congo remains 'public health emergency of international concern'
The WHO chief announced that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a public health emergency of international concern, with ongoing calls for increased global support, updated national and international recommendations to be issued soon, and a high death toll (2,325) and over 5,000 confirmed cases to date for the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.