WHO Weekly Situation Update on Ongoing Health Emergency Events in South Sudan - Week #: 20 ; Date: 22nd May 2026

Country: South Sudan

Source: World Health Organization

Please refer to the attached file.

Introduction

During this reporting period, South Sudan continued to face sustained public health emergency pressures driven by multiple disease outbreaks, climate-related shocks, displacement, and access constraints, which continued to strain response operations and health system capacity. Despite these challenges, progress was recorded across preparedness, surveillance, coordination, and response activities through continued partner collaboration and delivery of critical public health interventions, although operational constraints, resource gaps, and evolving emergency risks remain key concerns.

Priority Disease Outbreak and Public Health Threats Updates

Cross-Border Ebola Threat to South Sudan: An outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) caused by the Bundibugyo strain continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a cumulative 750 suspected cases, 82 confirmed cases, 178 suspected deaths, and 6 confirmed deaths reported across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. A total of 15 health zones are currently affected, including newly affected areas in Bambo and South Kivu, while 4 healthcare workers have been infected. In Uganda, the situation includes 12 suspected cases, 5 confirmed cases, and 1 confirmed death. The 5 cases include 1 infected healthcare worker who was caring for the first imported case and a driver who transported the first case, who are both receiving treatment. The WHO Director-General has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Given South Sudan’s porous borders, population movement, and humanitarian displacement, South Sudan remains at high risk of importation, particularly along border areas with the DRC and Uganda. In South Yambio, rumors of a suspected EVD case were rapidly investigated and disproved by the State Ministry of Health and WHO teams.

Key Readiness activities:

Strengthened EVD readiness and preparedness through enhanced surveillance, daily zero-reporting across 15 high-risk counties, EIOS monitoring, IPC, case management, laboratory readiness, event intelligence risk assessments, and Point of Entry preparedness, including ongoing assessments in Yambio, Kaya, and Nimule.

Continued coordination and preparedness activities through prepositioning of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) supplies, establishment of holding and isolation areas, Health Cluster and UNCT/HCT emergency discussions, validation of the South Sudan EVD preparedness and response plan at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and a joint MoH–WHO national press briefing to strengthen public awareness and counter misinformation and disinformation. ...