Why does Ebola keep coming back?

为什么埃博拉病毒总是卷土重来?

The Inquiry

2026-06-09

24 分钟
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In May 2026, the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in western Africa a public health emergency of international concern. Within days, hundreds of cases had been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears that the virus could spread further across the region. Ebola has been causing outbreaks for nearly 50 years, but despite advances in vaccines and treatments, the disease continues to return. But why is it so difficult to treat and contain? This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: “Why does Ebola keep coming back?” Contributors: Syra Madad, infectious disease epidemiologist at the Harvard Belfer Centre, US Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko, professor of tropical medicine at the University of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo Amanda Rojek associate professor of health emergencies at the University of Oxford, UK Julienne Anoko, risk communication and community engagement officer at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Kenya Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Amelia Cox Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Production management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Ebola awareness banner in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Credit: GLORDY MURHABAZI/Getty Images)
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  • Welcome to The Inquiry from the BBC World Service with me, Tanya Beckett.

  • One question, four expert witnesses and an answer.

  • Well, we begin in eastern DR Congo,

  • where the World Health Organization says it's working round the clock to trace anyone

  • who might have come into contact with individuals who unknowingly passed on Ebola to them.

  • On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak

  • in Western Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

  • It was a global call to action in order to prevent

  • this very dangerous disease spreading further across the African continent.