Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
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Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
Will the WHO Declare a New Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2026?
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Resolution Criteria
This market resolves to Yes if the World Health Organization declares a new “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC) on or before December 31, 2026.
A PHEIC is a formal declaration by the WHO Director-General, under the International Health Regulations, that an extraordinary public health event is occurring which risks international spread and requires a coordinated global response. For this market, we specifically require a new PHEIC declaration in the timeframe – meaning an emergency that is declared between 2024 and 2026. (Ongoing PHEICs that were declared prior to 2024, such as the existing one on polio, do not count as “new.”)
Examples that would count include the WHO DG publicly declaring an outbreak (e.g. a novel influenza strain, a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak, etc.) as a PHEIC during 2024, 2025, or 2026. The declaration is typically made after an Emergency Committee meeting and announced via WHO press release. If at least one such declaration is made by the end of 2026, the market resolves Yes. If no new PHEIC is declared in that period, it resolves No.
It doesn’t matter which disease or how many PHEICs – one is enough for “Yes.” If a PHEIC declared in 2026 is later rescinded, it still counts (the focus is on it being declared). We exclude mere extensions of pre-existing PHEICs; it must be a new emergency not already under a PHEIC status before 2024.
News
Congo Ebola outbreak becomes second largest ever recorded - World Socialist Web Site
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC has become the second largest on record, with 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths (44% CFR) as of July 30, spanning 49 health zones, led by Ituri, and marking the largest outbreak in the DRC’s history while the response faces mounting challenges and funding/health-system constraints.
Ebola Outbreak in Congo Is Intensifying at an "Exceptional" Pace, Now the Largest on Record, WHO Warns
The WHO says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest on record, spreading at an "exceptional" pace across five provinces amid conflict and lacking an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, with 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths (44% CFR) as of July 30, prompting a call for a massively scaled international response.
Jerry Thompson Published 08/03/26 AT 3:18 PM AESTCOVID-19 Global Risk Assessment- Version 9-Urban Press
Global COVID-19 risk remains moderate as of end-2025 with sustained circulation and variant evolution (primarily JN.1 Omicron sublineages) but stable severity indicators; despite vaccines reducing severe outcomes, low vaccine uptake, surveillance gaps, and limited sequencing hinder precise risk assessment and ongoing vigilance is required under the WHO’s Strategic Plan (2025–2030).
US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Retreats on Vaccines Amid Historic Measles Crisis | Streamline
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly urged measles vaccination amid the US’s worst outbreak in 35 years, endorsing the MMR vaccine (about 97% effective) after previously opposing vaccines, as rising case counts (over 2,370 in 2026) threaten herd immunity and fuel international concern and vaccine hesitancy impacts in Africa.
Streamline Feed OfficialWHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States - India Breaking News | Top Stories | Political | Business | Entertainment | Sport
The WHO regrets the United States’ decision to withdraw, noting it harms global health security, outlines the U.S. rationale centered on alleged WHO failures during COVID-19, and states that WHO will address the withdrawal at upcoming Executive Board and World Health Assembly meetings while continuing to work with all Member States toward its health mission.
Times of NewsGlobal Leaders Urged to Finalize Pandemic Treaty: Lula and WHO Director's Urgent Appeal (2026)
Global leaders, led by WHO Director-General Tedros and Brazilian President Lula, are urged to finalize a global pandemic treaty that links pathogen data sharing with guaranteed equitable access to vaccines and treatments, arguing that delaying this agreement risks immense health and economic costs, erodes trust, and undermines preparedness for future outbreaks.
Breaking News: WHO Issues Global Health Alert for Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo (2026)
The article reports a WHO-alerted Ebola outbreak in DRC’s Ituri province involving Bundibugyo virus with 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths (uncertainty remains about the true scale), has crossed into Uganda with a confirmed death, and highlights systemic issues in global health, lack of approved treatments or vaccines, urban outbreak risks, the need for stronger health security and addressing root causes like deforestation and healthcare gaps.
WHO Issues Global Alert: Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda (2026)
The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over an Ebola outbreak in the DRC (Ituri) and Uganda, driven by a rare Bundibugyo virus strain with high mortality, amid insecurity and challenges to response, urging case isolation, contact monitoring, and travel advisories while opposing border closures.
“This is a Fire”: Inside Congo’s Unstoppable Ebola Outbreak | Media Bypass News
The Congo’s Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak—originating February 2026 in Ituri, now the largest in the country with 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of July 30, 2026—has no vaccine or specific treatment, is spreading fastest in history across 49 health zones in five provinces, with 80% of new cases from unknown transmission chains and many deaths occurring before medical care, amid conflict, distrust, and a underfunded, partially stalled global response mobilizing about $518 million but facing over $400 million in funding gaps.
WHO Rapid Risk Assessment – Nipah virus – Global – Version 1-Zenith Network
The WHO Rapid Risk Assessment on Nipah virus (Global, Version 1, dated 6 March 2026) evaluates the global public health risk by considering potential impact, geographic spread, and limitations of control capacities with available resources, aiming to enhance transparency, inform national authorities, and foster shared risk assessment for preparedness and response under IHR (2005).