Congo Ebola outbreak declared global health emergency

The yearlong Ebola epidemic, which has killed 1,676 people and infected 2,512, is the second-largest outbreak in history (after the one in West Africa in 2014 and 2015, which killed 11,310 people and infected 28,616 others).

The World Health Organization issued a global health emergency declaration on Wednesday, on the recommendation of an expert panel that had considered and rejected the move three times in recent months. The delay had drawn sharp criticism from public health specialists.

Significance: The W.H.O. reserves the declaration of a global emergency for outbreaks that pose a serious threat to public health and could spread to other countries. The order is meant to increase international attention and garner aid to help stop epidemics.

Urgency: The W.H.O. said it had received $49 million from international donors from February to July, only half the money it needs. Officials who have visited the region say supplies are running short, including protective gear for health workers, syringes and gloves.