WHO scales up Ebola readiness across its Eastern Mediterranean region of 22 countries and territories

18 October 2026

The World Health Organization is strengthening Ebola preparedness across its eastern Mediterranean region, which comprises 22 countries and territories spanning parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan have been identified as priority countries for intensified support. The step follows outbreaks of disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and the confirmation of a case in Kenya linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No Ebola cases have been recorded in the region so far, but conflict, displacement and overstretched health systems make preparation difficult. Between July and September the agency deployed missions to Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan to assess readiness in surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, case management and emergency coordination. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the region as the epicentre of global humanitarian need, with more than 117 million people requiring humanitarian assistance.