The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the recent outbreaks of the Ebola and Hantavirus are signs of increasingly “dangerous and divisive” global health challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday, WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus said the world is facing mounting crises ranging from disease outbreaks to economic instability, climate change, and aid cuts.
Tedros referenced the newly declared Ebola emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rare Hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship as examples of growing global health threats.
“From conflicts to economic crises to climate change and aid cuts, we live in difficult, dangerous and divisive times,” he told delegates at the assembly.
Spanish Prime Minister,vPedro Sanchez also addressed the gathering, praising international cooperation after Spain allowed the affected MV Hondius cruise ship to anchor near the Canary Islands for emergency evacuations.
“No country can save itself on its own,” Sanchez said, warning against what he described as a “pandemic of egoism.”
The annual World Health Assembly comes at a difficult period for the WHO following funding cuts and the planned withdrawal of the United States from the organisation.
Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider revealed that the WHO’s budget had been reduced by nearly $1bn, leading to job losses and scaled-back programmes.
Meanwhile, disagreements between wealthy and developing countries have continued to delay finalisation of the WHO’s landmark pandemic treaty aimed at improving future global responses to health emergencies.
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Sensitive geopolitical issues also surfaced during the assembly, including debates surrounding Taiwan’s observer status, the wars involving Ukraine and Palestine, and concerns over Iran.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama urged world leaders to rethink global health systems, saying the world was witnessing “the end of an era.”
“We must have the courage to build the next one,” Mahama said.
The WHO has yet to formally confirm the planned withdrawal of the United States and Argentina from the organisation, despite notices submitted by both countries.
