The WHO is intensifying its preparedness and response efforts against Ebola amid ongoing conflicts and displacement waves, which are impacting millions of lives across parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The Eastern Mediterranean region, part of the United Nations health agency's network, comprises 22 countries and territories. Within this region, Ebola prevention support is being intensified in Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan, identified as top priority nations. This action follows deadly outbreaks of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda, along with the confirmation of a case in Kenya linked to the DRC outbreak.

While the region has not yet reported any Ebola cases, ongoing conflicts, migration, and overburdened healthcare systems in many countries present significant challenges to preparedness and response efforts should the situation change. The severe scale of the outbreak in the DRC underscores the urgent need for prevention. As of 13/10, the DRC had recorded over 9,000 Ebola cases and more than 4,000 deaths, marking its largest Ebola outbreak in history.

The outbreak in multiple provinces has raised concerns about the risk of cross-border transmission. Kenya also reported cases linked to this outbreak. On 16/10, authorities confirmed the third case as a 65-year-old woman who had close contact with previously identified patients.

The emergence of these cases has heightened concerns about cross-national spread, even though Kenyan authorities affirm there are no signs of widespread community transmission within the community.

Red Cross workers in personal protective equipment lower the coffin of a doctor who died from Ebola at Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo on 26/5. *Photo: Reuters*

Earlier this week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus described the Eastern Mediterranean region as the "epicenter of global humanitarian relief needs." Over 117 million people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and surrounding areas currently require humanitarian assistance to sustain their lives.

From July to September, the WHO dispatched missions to Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan to assess each nation's readiness. These missions identified challenges in Ebola surveillance, testing capacity, infection prevention and control, case management, and emergency coordination. The United Nations agency is currently supporting national authorities in addressing these gaps through training, technical assistance, providing medical supplies, and organizing simulation exercises.

In addition to enhancing coordination with countries across both Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, the WHO has developed regional readiness checklists, contingency planning tools, and technical guidelines. The organization also provides testing supplies, guidance for travelers, and community communication materials.

Despite achieving some progress, gaps persist in early detection, laboratory confirmation, the supply of protective equipment, and resources for emergency response.

"Conflict, insecurity, and limited access are creating additional challenges, particularly in countries already grappling with major humanitarian crises", the WHO stated.

These challenges are particularly concerning because Ebola can be transmitted through direct contact with blood, secretions, and other bodily fluids from infected individuals, as well as contaminated objects. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, and infected individuals are only contagious once symptoms begin to appear. Therefore, effective surveillance, timely treatment, and contact tracing of suspected cases are crucial.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, an Ebola virus strain for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists. The WHO states that effective disease control depends on early detection, patient isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention, safe burial practices, and community cooperation.

The organization affirmed its continued coordination with national governments and humanitarian partners to strengthen readiness, improve coordination, and ensure that suspected cases can be quickly detected, investigated, and managed. These efforts aim to promptly address key gaps before the virus infiltrates countries facing numerous barriers in implementing emergency responses.

Binh Minh (According to UN News, WHO)