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 If a PHEIC declared in 2026 is later rescinded, it still counts (the focus is on it being declared).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
136 dead, no vaccine or cure: WHO chief warns over 'scale and speed' of Ebola outbreak
The WHO chief warned of the Ebola outbreak in Congo—caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain with no approved vaccine or treatment—reaching 136 deaths and 543 suspected cases as health workers are infected and the epicenter in Ituri with spillover to North Kivu, while countries increase surveillance and risk communication remains critical.
TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 20, 2026, 08:25 ISTWHO Is Alarmed At 'Scale And Speed' Of Ebola Outbreak As Hantavirus Threat Recedes
The WHO warned that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda is expanding rapidly, with 30 confirmed DRC cases and 2 in Uganda (including a death), likely originating in DRC’s Ituri province, possibly spreading via healthcare settings, while the true scope remains unknown and was discussed at the World Health Assembly.
Disha ShettyWHO Director-General's address to Member States at the 79th World Health Assembly – 19 May 2026
The WHO Director-General announced a public health emergency of international concern for an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with 30 confirmed DRC cases, 2 confirmed Ugandan cases (including a death) tied to travel from DRC, an American positive case now in Germany, over 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths, no vaccines or therapeutics available, while also noting the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius—plus the agency’s delivery of 1.5 million cancer medicines.
WHO Chief Says ‘Deeply Concerned’ by ‘Scale and Speed’ of DR Congo Ebola Outbreak
The WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is deeply concerned by the rapid scale of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has spilled into Uganda, with 131 deaths from 513 suspected cases, and the Africa CDC has declared a Continental Public Health Emergency to mobilize additional resources.
WHO chief ‘deeply concerned about the scale and speed’ of Ebola outbreak - The Globe and Mail
The WHO chief warned he is deeply concerned by the rapid scale of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and Uganda, with hundreds of suspected cases and over 130 deaths, as surveillance, contact tracing, and lab testing expand and emergency funding of $3.9 million is deployed; urban transmission and health-worker infections raise concerns about further spread.
WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC, Uganda global health emergency
The WHO has declared the Bundibugyo-ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, noting cross-border spread, the first imported cases in Uganda with at least two cases in Kampala, and urging enhanced surveillance and response while rejecting travel bans.
Zainab AdewaleWHO chief says 'deeply concerned' by 'scale and speed' of DR Congo Ebola outbreak | The Peninsula Qatar
The WHO chief expressed deep concern over the fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has spilled into Uganda and prompted a PHEIC declaration, with 131 suspected deaths and 513 cases, 30 confirmed Ebola cases in Ituri, and ongoing risks from urban transmission, healthcare worker infections, and the Bundibugyo strain for which there is no vaccine, while vaccination is available only for the Zaire strain.
WHO chief concerned about 'scale and speed' of deadly Ebola outbreak - The Economic Times
The WHO warned of the rapid, large-scale Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern as cases and deaths rise (at least 131 killed), with confirmed cases in Ituri and Uganda, limited vaccine options for the Bundibugyo strain, and international action including Africa CDC emergency measures, US/other heightened precautions, and ongoing concerns about spread and laboratory-confirmation delays.
'Ebola has tortured us': Fear as DR Congo outbreak spreads
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has grown rapidly with at least 514 suspected cases and 136 deaths, spreading across provinces including Ituri and South Kivu and possibly into neighboring Uganda, while WHO warns of under-detection, ongoing investigations show cross-border spread, and responders scramble to mobilize funds, vaccines/drugs, and heightened border and health precautions amid insecurity and displacement.
Congo Ebola outbreak: WHO ‘deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic’ | Euronews
The Congo Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has at least 131 deaths and 500 cases with cases in Uganda and urban areas like Kampala and Goma, prompting a WHO Emergency Committee to consider temporary measures while stresses on surveillance, contact tracing, and health worker protection rise, though it is not declared a pandemic and border closures are advised against.