WHO Tegaskan Wabah Ebola Kongo‑Uganda Jadi Darurat Kesehatan

On 17 Mei 2026, WHO officially declared the Ebola outbreak in Kongo and Uganda as a global health emergency. The decision follows a surge in suspected cases and deaths in those countries.

In response, Kemenkes raised its alert level and urged the public to exercise caution, especially regarding food consumption. The ministry highlighted the risk of Ebola transmission through certain meats.

"Masyarakat diimbau hanya mengonsumsi daging yang telah dimasak matang dan menghindari konsumsi hewan liar," kata Aji Muhawarman, Kepala Biro Komunikasi dan Informasi Publik Kemenkes, saat dihubungi, Minggu, 17 Mei 2026.

According to WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, more than 300 suspected Ebola cases and 88 deaths have been reported to date. The agency clarified that, despite the emergency status, the outbreak does not qualify as a pandemic like COVID‑19, and it does not recommend closing international borders.

The current wave is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, a rare Ebola variant that currently lacks an approved vaccine or therapy.

Aji added that the government is continuously monitoring the global situation and strengthening national readiness to prevent the disease from spreading to Indonesia.

"Pemerintah terus melakukan pemantauan perkembangan kasus Ebola di tingkat global serta memperkuat kesiapsiagaan nasional guna mencegah masuknya penyakit ke Indonesia," ujarnya.

To reinforce surveillance, Kemenkes has tightened checks at entry points, using thermal scanners, visual inspections, and the All Indonesia application. It has also set up 198 referral hospitals in the PIE network and established 21 sentinel hospitals across 20 provinces.

Additional measures include expanding laboratory capacity, training health workers, and coordinating with WHO across sectors.

Aji further urged the public to maintain basic health protocols: wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer, wear a mask when ill or in public spaces, and observe cough and sneeze etiquette. He also warned against contact with people, animals, or objects that might be contaminated.

These steps aim to keep Indonesia safe while the world watches the evolving situation in Kongo and Uganda, reminding citizens that vigilance and simple hygiene practices remain the first line of defense.