The statement from the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee1 on the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa indicated an urgent importance for countries without cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), especially in Africa, to be operationally ready for the possible introduction of Ebola so that rapid, decisive and safe actions can be taken to prevent the further spread of disease. This statement contained recommendations on preparedness for all unaffected states and specifically for those with land borders with affected states which included increased levels of surveillance and developing the capacity to “detect, investigate and manage Ebola cases”. The second meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee reiterated these recommendations, highlighting also the need to strengthen education and communication efforts to combat disproportionate fear.
During 8 to 10 October 2014, WHO convened a consultative meeting in Brazzaville and brought together international partners to intensify and coordinate efforts aimed at supporting unaffected countries to strengthen their readiness, in line with the Emergency Committee recommendations. One outcome was core principles, standards, capacities and practices that formed the basis for the development of a consolidated Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Checklist.
2 This checklist, which builds upon earlier work by multiple organizations and other tools, training and guidance materials, is designed to provide all countries with standard guidance to assess and test their level of readiness to deal with initial cases of EVD. The consultation also identified a list of priority countries in Africa of greatest concern for support based on criteria such as geographical proximity to affected countries, trade and migration patterns and the strength of existing health systems, for which direct support should be provided for those countries to achieve an operational level of readiness as rapidly as possible.