WHO chief warns new pandemic inevitable, next one a matter of when

September 26, 2026 at 12:47 AM1 min

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on September 25, 2026 that a new respiratory pathogen could trigger a pandemic with consequences comparable to COVID-19. Speaking at a UN General Assembly press conference in New York, he said the next pandemic is a matter of when, not if. He cited the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a reminder that epidemics can emerge anywhere and threaten the world.

Key Facts

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a new respiratory pathogen could cause a pandemic with consequences comparable to COVID-19.
Ghebreyesus stated the next pandemic is a matter of when, not if.
He made the remarks at a press conference during the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2026.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 3,779 people and confirmed 7,820 cases, according to Kursiv.kz.

WHO Warning

Ghebreyesus said one of the fears that wakes him at night is the emergence of a new respiratory pathogen. He emphasized that a new pandemic is inevitable and only a matter of time. The WHO chief made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Ebola Outbreak Context

Ghebreyesus cited the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a reminder that epidemics can start anywhere and at any time. He said such outbreaks threaten not only local communities but also neighboring countries and the entire world. Kursiv.kz reported that the Ebola outbreak in Congo has killed 3,779 people and confirmed 7,820 cases, with the situation especially critical in North Kivu province.