Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Health is set to update and release its protocols on the Ebola virus within the week. </p><p>This, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/19/who-chief-says-deeply-concerned-by-scale-and-speed-of-dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-1728">WHO worried about &#x27;scale and speed&#x27; of deadly Ebola outbreak</a></div><p>The guidelines, according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, were first issued in 2014 after an outbreak of the disease caused by the <em>Orthoebolavirus zairense</em> also prompted the world body to declare a PHEIC.</p><p>The latest health emergency has seen several confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in Central Africa.</p><p>Herbosa said the protocol is primarily focused on increasing “surveillance on planes or ships coming from the two affected countries.”</p><p>“Those that come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Meron lang sites, merong cities, hindi buong country. Mas ise-screen siya ng quarantine. Siguro i-interrogate sila kung may symptoms sila, papa-fill out din sila ng e-travel na may questions on illness. Pag na-flag, our quarantine will quarantine them,” he said.</p><p>According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids like blood, urine, feces, saliva, sweat, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen, and vaginal fluid. <em>Orthoebolaviruses </em>can cause serious diseases with a mortality rate that can be as high as 80 to 90 percent.</p><p>Herbosa said utmost care must be practiced by health workers handling infected patients. At the moment, the Philippines is said to be in a relatively good position as infections remain to be within two countries on the African continent.</p><p>“Binabantayan lang natin, wala pa tayong problem. So, no need to worry again about this. It&#x27;s a warning that is normally given by WHO when they have an outbreak like this.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/18/ebola-portrait-of-a-killer-virus-1836">Ebola: Portrait of a killer virus</a></div><p>The WHO’s declaration of a PHEIC is the highest level of alert issued. </p><p>However, this does not mean the virus has reached the level of a global outbreak or pandemic. It is in fact a mechanism to sound the alarm for government health bodies to prepare not just their systems but also to collaborate with other governments to ensure the spread of a pathogen is curbed.</p><p>The last time a PHEIC was declared by the WHO was in 2022 following a multi-country outbreak of Mpox and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/18/ph-on-alert-and-ready-as-who-declares-public-health-emergency-on-ebola-1531">PH on alert and ready as WHO declares public health emergency on ebola</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGwq5StcI2k?si=810LR9FWEv36ZCZU" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Health is set to update and release its protocols on the Ebola virus within the week. This following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).</p>

The Department of Health is set to update and release its protocols on the Ebola virus within the week. This following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

DOH to release Ebola protocols following WHO declaration of health emergency

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Health & Science

DOH to release Ebola protocols following WHO declaration of health emergency

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 19, 2026 07:09 PM PHT

Read More:

Ebola

Department of Health

World Health Assembly

World Health Organization

Secretary Teodory Herbosa

Public Health Emergency of International Concern

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.