The WHO IHR Emergency Committee published formal temporary recommendations for state parties to follow in response to the declared Ebola public health emergency affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The recommendations under the International Health Regulations outline measures for disease surveillance, travel protocols, and information sharing without defaulting to unnecessary border closures that could disrupt economies and humanitarian aid flows.
State parties are urged to strengthen laboratory networks, report cases within required time frames, and coordinate vaccination or therapeutic trials where ethically approved products exist. The committee updates guidance as epidemiological data evolve during the emergency.
WHO officials said temporary recommendations provide a common framework so neighboring countries align screening standards and reduce conflicting passenger rules that confused travelers during prior outbreaks in West and Central Africa.
Member states retain sovereignty over implementation but face transparency expectations under IHR treaty obligations. The committee will reconvene to adjust advice if case trajectories shift or new variants complicate containment across shared borders.
The WHO IHR Emergency Committee issued temporary recommendations for Ebola response coordination across the DRC, Uganda, and other state parties facing cross-border transmission risks from the ongoing outbreak.
Temporary IHR recommendations instruct parties to report Ebola cases promptly and align travel screening without unnecessary border closures that could disrupt aid reaching outbreak zones.
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Sources:
https://www.who.int/news/item/22-05-2026-first-meeting-of-the-ihr-emergency-committee-regarding-the-epidemic-of-ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-uganda-2026-temporary-recommendations