How far are we? National preparedness and response capacities for emerging infectious disease outbreaks in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region

Infectious diseases are a constant threat to communities worldwide. Over the last decades, outbreaks of various emerging and epidemic-prone infectious diseases (EIDs) have erupted in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.1 Protracted humanitarian emergencies, fragile health systems, insufficient infrastructure and resources, suboptimal technical and managerial capacities further exacerbate disease emergence and spread and hinder prevention and control efforts.1 2 Despite these challenges, countries are committed to build national capacities to better tackle EIDs.