On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that although the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, it does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency. In making this decision, WHO assessed the risk to human health, the risk of international spread of disease, and of the risk of interference with international traffic.

As of May 16, the WHO has confirmed eight laboratory cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province of the DRC across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. In addition, two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, on May 15 and 16, among two individuals traveling from the DRC. 

The WHO called the outbreak extraordinary as currently no approved treatments or vaccines specific to the Bundibugyo virus exist, CNN reported. The fatality rate involving the Bundibugyo strain is estimated to be between 25% and 40%, according to Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières.

Currently, the WHO said significant uncertainties abound as to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event. In addition, the WHO has limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases. However, the agency said all signs point toward a potentially much larger outbreak than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant local and regional risk of spread. Moreover, the ongoing insecurity, humanitarian crisis, high population mobility, urban or semi-urban nature of the current hotspot, and the large network of informal healthcare facilities further compound the risk of spread.

Additionally on Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is working to relocate a “small number of Americans” who are directly affected by this outbreak. STAT reported that a number of Americans have been exposed to the virus, with several deemed to have had high-risk exposures. At least one of these individuals may have developed symptoms.

Currently, the risk to the American public remains low. Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air. CDC continues to monitor the situation and has systems in place to detect and respond rapidly to potential public health threats.

The CDC said the current outbreak mark’s the DRC’s 18th Ebola virus outbreak since 1976, and its second outbreak of Bundibugyo virus.

The May/June edition of ISSA Today—now available in digital format for your desktop, smartphone, or tablet―helps you stay up to date on the latest cleaning industry and ISSA-member news.

The cleaning industry is driven by leadership, innovation, and strategy that shapes the future of the cleaning and facility solutions industry. The May/June 2026 issue of ISSA Today examines what it takes to stay competitive, from rethinking outdated sales approaches and unlocking long-term business value to building a new generation of women leaders.

Explore how AI is reshaping product selection, distribution revenue, and front-line productivity through robotics. Discover why sustainability needs a new kind of professional, how benchmarking turns “good enough” into measurable performance, and what the new rules of Washington mean for the industry. Along the way, we celebrate ABM’s competitive edge through CIMS and spotlight RJ Schinner’s century-strong legacy.

Here’s some of what you can find in the May/June 2026 issue issue:

• Straight Talk!: The Obsolete Salesperson
• President’s Message: The Power of Showing Up
• ISSA In Action!: An inside look at what ISSA is doing for its members today.
• ABM Industries: Turning CIMS into a competitive advantage.
• Smarter Cleaning Decisions: How AI chatbots help choose safer products.
• Are You a Sustainablist?: Why sustainability needs a new kind of professional.
• Power Shift: Inside the new rules of Washington.
• Tech That Drives Distribution Revenue: Make AI your strategic priority.
• Exit Readiness: Unlocking long-tern value for cleaning businesses.
• Benchmarking Cleaning Operations: Turning “good enough” into measurable performance.
• Women Who Lead: Building confidence, taking chances, and shaping the future.
• Physical AI and the Next Chapter of Productivity: Robotic cleaning is part of a bigger shift in front-line operations.
• Member Spotlight on RJ Schinner: Built to last with plenty of growth on the horizon.

View the Table of Contents to see everything available in this issue.

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