The decision, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus on Sunday, follows reports of confirmed and suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Although the situation is serious, it does not currently meet the pandemic emergency criteria according to the WHO International Health Regulations.
As of May 16, health authorities had recorded eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspicious deaths in Ituri province, eastern DRC.
Cases have also been confirmed in the capital Kinshasa and across the border in Uganda, where two infected people traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and were admitted to intensive care.
The WHO warned that the outbreak is likely to be larger than currently detected, pointing to clusters of unexplained deaths, a high positivity rate among samples tested and limited understanding of transmission patterns. At least four deaths among healthcare workers have also raised concerns about infection prevention measures in healthcare facilities.
The agency emphasized that the outbreak poses a risk to neighboring countries due to high population mobility, trade links and ongoing humanitarian challenges in the affected regions.
No international travel restrictions needed
Despite the risks, the WHO does not recommend restrictions on international travel or trade. Instead, it urged countries to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and community engagement, while ensuring accurate public information.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda have been recommended to activate emergency response mechanisms, improve contact tracing and laboratory testing, improve infection prevention and expand treatment capacity.
Community engagement, including working with local and religious leaders, is also seen as critical to controlling the outbreak.
The WHO highlighted that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, underscoring the importance of accelerating research and clinical trials.
An Emergency Committee will be convened to provide further recommendations, as global health authorities step up efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent wider spread.
