Simon Williams

Behavioural scientist & public health researcher @swanseauniversity. Health writer, media commentator.

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

"There’s no such thing as common sense in unprecedented times, none of us have been in a pandemic before."

[BBC Newsnight @BBCNewsnight]

"There’s no such thing as common sense in unprecedented times, none of us have been in a pandemic before."

Simon Williams from @SwanseaUni says the public needs guidance and a recent survey suggests many people are in favour of removing Christmas bubbles

#Newsnight

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

@YouGov Early days in Australia, but early evaluations suggest that a large proportion of non-compliance with the ban there is on the platform side - eg platforms have not yet properly or consistently implemented age verification

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

I think talk of non-compliance with the social media ban is premature - reducing children’s access to social media will be good for their mental health and well-being 🧵

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

@YouGov Consultation responses suggest that ~9-in-10 parents support a ban.

As such the primary influencers in children’s lives and technology access gatekeepers are mostly unequivocally in support and likely to encourage or expect compliance with non-use

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

As we experience more heatwaves, reminder that heat-related health inequalities are rising - a piece in @bmj_latest by myself and @MichaelMarmot :

https://t.co/jKEb3tK3Gt

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

#Ebola Bundibugyo virus update:
- So far, 101 cases have been confirmed in the #DRC, including 10 confirmed deaths. But we know the epidemic in the DRC is much larger. There are now more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths.
- #Uganda has reported two additional confirmed cases among healthcare workers, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to seven, including one confirmed death.

We are continuing to scale up the response with our partners, and we expect more cases to be identified in the coming days and weeks.

The sooner we can trace people with infections and identify their contacts, the sooner we can provide the care they need and bring this outbreak under control.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

The #Ebola situation in the #DRC is deeply worrisome. So far, 82 cases have been confirmed, with seven confirmed deaths. But we know the epidemic in the DRC is much larger. There are now almost 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths.

The situation in #Uganda is currently stable, with two confirmed cases, and one death reported. There have been no new cases or deaths reported.

An American national who was working in DRC has also been confirmed positive, and transferred to Germany for care. We are aware of the reports today about another American national who is a high-risk contact who has been transferred to the Czech Republic.

These numbers are changing as surveillance efforts and laboratory testing is improving, but violence and insecurity are impeding the response.

Additional @WHO personnel have deployed to Ituri, the epicentre of the DRC outbreak, to support affected communities.

I am in regular contact with the government officials of the affected countries to coordinate response actions.

I have just convened a Member States briefing to update them on the ongoing response.

[WHO/Europe @WHO_Europe]

The epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

What does that mean for the countries and people in WHO European Region?

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Yesterday I convened an Emergency Committee on the #Ebola outbreak in the #DRC and #Uganda. The Committee agreed that the situation is a public health emergency of international concern.

@WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as high at the national and regional levels, and low at the global level.

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

This has the potential to be the largest ebola outbreak on record.

(via @DrTomFrieden )

[BBC News (World) @BBCWorld]

More die of suspected Ebola as WHO warns that numbers will rise further https://t.co/ynK7GR7OnS

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

@MichaelRosenYes up the gooners!

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

Very good points by @gabbystern

I wrote about the risks of reducing funding to the WHO and global health aid in general here : https://t.co/Mur8yvx0R8

Important to address this type of sowing of misinformation/mistrust

[Gabby Stern @gabbystern]

Sure and also 1) it's an assertion unsupported by evidence to date; 2) doesn't address DRC's responsibility and duty of care to its people; 3) omits mention of the Africa CDC; 4) is anti @WHO demagoguery from the 2020 playbook of deflection from the US's own responsibility.

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

The irony of criticising the WHO's response after withdrawing support and funding for the organisation ...!

[Al Jazeera Breaking News @AJENews]

BREAKING: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the World Health Organization (WHO) was “a little late” in identifying the deadly Ebola outbreak.

🔴 More on https://t.co/hGzrK2N8WC

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

modelling suggests there are many more cases undetected than initially thought.

[BBC News (World) @BBCWorld]

Ebola may be spreading faster than first thought, WHO doctor warns https://t.co/sUqbRUjfSb

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

important updates - will be important to see over next few days as more testing and knowledge of extent of outbreak becomes clearer

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

WHO to give update on hantavirus and Ebola after calling DR Congo outbreak an international emergency https://t.co/KOWwSZqwA1

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

This outbreak is challenging because of the context of the region - the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, means security and infrastructure is fragile, which can make it more challenging to identify, report, and treat infections.

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

Very concerning outbreak. Globally this is a cause for concern but not panic.

First, its a reminder why we need global health organizations and why they need funding.

Secondly, part of why this is concerning is that it is affecting highly vulnerable countries, lacking resources

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Highlights from Disease Outbreak News on #Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo Virus Disease, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda - 16 May 2026:

🔴 As of 15 May, a total of 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths (4 deaths among confirmed cases) have been reported. 65 contacts have been listed, with 15 identified as high-risk.
🔴 Most of the suspected cases are between 20 and 39 years old, with females accounting for over 60%, suggesting significant risks associated with household and caregiver transmission.
🔴 Insecurity in the affected areas and movement restrictions are hampering the surveillance and follow up efforts. Several listed contacts became symptomatic and died before they could be isolated.
🔴 Ituri province’s role in #DRC as a commercial and migratory hub and proximity to #Uganda and South Sudan increases the risk of regional exportation and cross-border transmission.

Read the full Disease Outbreak News here: https://t.co/Dox0Tj0ZfG

[Simon Williams @drsimonwilliams]

Most important thing now is rapid identification, contact tracing and isolation of cases and monitoring suspected cases. Its also important that infection control measures, for examples using adequate PPE in medical and community health settings, to minimise onward spread