WHO scales up Ebola readiness in 22 countries across three continents

On 17 October 2026, the World Health Organization said it was scaling up Ebola preparedness across the 22 countries and territories of its Eastern Mediterranean region, which spans parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. The move follows deadly outbreaks of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and a confirmed imported case in Kenya. No cases have been detected in the Eastern Mediterranean region, but conflict, displacement and stretched health systems have left several countries vulnerable. WHO designated Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan as priority nations and, between July and September, deployed missions there to assess surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, case management and emergency coordination. The agency is now helping authorities close gaps through training, technical support, medical supplies and simulation exercises. In the DRC, the Bundibugyo outbreak has grown to 8,728 confirmed cases and 4,205 confirmed deaths across 64 health zones in seven provinces, with Ituri the most affected. WHO officials warned that strained conflict zones and large displaced populations make rapid detection difficult and said earlier readiness in neighbouring regions is critical to avoid a wider cross-continental spread.