The Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) is hereby transmitting the report of the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee (Committee) regarding the epidemic of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), held on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST.

The DG welcomes the Statement by the Committee, presented at the beginning of its report, and expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee.

Concurring with the advice expressed by the Committee during the meeting, the DG determined that the BVD epidemic in the DRC continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but not those of a pandemic emergency. Accordingly, on 24 August 2026, the DG, considering the advice offered by the Committee, issued temporary recommendations to States Parties, available here.