May 19–20, 2026
The World Health Organisation has declared the current Ebola outbreak a public health emergency, as deaths surpassed 130 and suspected infections exceeded 600 across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain — a rare variant with no approved vaccine or treatment — averaging a fatality rate of around 40%. Conflict and mass displacement in eastern DRC, where rebel forces control key areas and over two million people are internally displaced, are severely hampering containment efforts.
MENA countries responded swiftly: Bahrain and Jordan announced 30-day travel bans on visitors from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the UAE’s Ministry of Health said it was prepared to respond to any health developments related to Ebola.
