WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a global health emergency. #Ebola #DRCongo #BBCNews

UK Placed on Heightened Alert After WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo a Global Health Emergency

Earlier today the World Health Organisation took the rare step of declaring the fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a global health emergency. The announcement, made in Geneva just after 9am UK time, has prompted immediate action across Whitehall and the Foreign Office.

Swift UK Government Response

Ministers met this morning in the COBRA room to review Britain's readiness. Health Secretary Dr Helen Carter told reporters that the NHS has been placed on alert and that specialist isolation units at the Royal Free Hospital are fully prepared.

Travel advice for the region has been updated overnight. British nationals are strongly urged to avoid all but essential journeys to affected provinces in eastern DRC. The Foreign Office has also advised airlines to screen passengers arriving from Kinshasa and Goma.

Why the Declaration Matters

This is only the fifth time the WHO has used its highest level of alert for an Ebola event. The current outbreak, centred around North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has already claimed more than 40 lives since the first cases emerged last month.

Experts fear the virus could spread rapidly through densely populated refugee camps and across porous borders. Neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Rwanda, have begun temperature checks at major crossings.

What It Means for Britain

Although the risk to the UK remains low, Public Health England has circulated new guidance to GPs and hospital trusts. Any patient presenting with fever and recent travel history to the region will be fast-tracked for testing at designated laboratories in London, Liverpool and Glasgow.

The government has also confirmed that it holds sufficient stocks of the Ervebo vaccine and experimental monoclonal antibody treatments. Further supplies could be flown out within 48 hours if requested by the WHO.

Public Reassurance and Ongoing Monitoring

Speaking outside Downing Street this lunchtime, the Prime Minister stressed that Britain stands ready to support the international response. "We have some of the best scientists and clinicians in the world," he said. "We will not hesitate to help our partners in Africa contain this threat."

The situation is being monitored hour by hour. Further updates are expected from the WHO this evening.

This is Erica Thornton for Global1.news, reporting from London. 🇬🇧

Source: BBC News via YouTube — 2026-05-17T09:45:01+00:00.