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Western Sahara: recent disease outbreaks
Sources checked
Recent reports
Measles (and renewed diphtheria detection) — Moroccan-administered areas including parts of Western Sahara
Morocco’s health authorities reported ongoing circulation of vaccine‑preventable diseases, explicitly citing measles and noting recent diphtheria detections in the Souss‑Massa area (statement reported 7 Oct 2026). le360 (Morocco health ministry statement, 7 Oct 2026). WHO has documented a widespread measles outbreak in Morocco that began in late 2023 and provided national‑level situation and response details (WHO Disease Outbreak News, 13 May 2025); WHO and national authorities continue to advise maintaining high two‑dose measles vaccine coverage. WHO DON: Measles — Morocco (13 May 2025). Travel health authorities treating Morocco and Western Sahara together recommend travellers confirm MMR immunity before departure and consider early vaccination for infants if mixing with local populations. TravelHealthPro / NaTHNaC (Morocco guidance). Why it matters to travellers: measles is highly contagious and can spread where vaccination coverage is low; unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated travellers (including infants) are at higher risk and may face disruption if exposed. The cited sources recommend ensuring up‑to‑date MMR vaccination before travel and following local public‑health guidance.
Humanitarian health vulnerabilities — Sahrawi (Tindouf) refugee camps near Western Sahara (Algeria)
Recent UN and humanitarian reporting highlights worsening conditions and constrained health services for Sahrawi refugees in the five camps near Tindouf, Algeria (reports and briefings in September 2026), including limited medicine supplies, high child malnutrition rates and health‑system fragility that increase the risk of infectious disease spread in the camps. UNICEF (Sahrawi camps evidence brief, Sep 2026) and EL PAÍS (report on camp health services, 27 Sep 2026). Separate recent statements to the UN and reporting (Sep 2026) note increasing humanitarian needs and underfunding that can hinder routine immunization and outbreak response in the camps. Report of UNHCR remarks (Sep 2026). Why it matters to travellers: these findings primarily concern refugee populations in camps near Tindouf (Algeria) rather than the Moroccan‑administered urban centres of Western Sahara; however, travellers planning to visit border areas, humanitarian staff, or those with contact with displaced populations should be aware of limited local health services and take standard travel‑health precautions (ensure routine vaccinations, carry documentation and plan for limited medical access).
Entry / screening measures (verified status as of research date)
No destination authority announced new outbreak‑specific entry or passenger screening measures for Western Sahara itself in the sources checked up to 27 Oct 2026. Official travel guidance for Western Sahara treats health requirements in the context of Moroccan administration and directs travellers to national travel‑health guidance (including vaccination checks). GOV.UK Western Sahara travel advice (entry / health reference). Note: health screening or passenger‑health forms can be introduced or changed at short notice by national or airline authorities; travellers should verify entry and health screening rules with carriers and official consular sources immediately before travel.
These reports are a dated snapshot of publicly available sources checked on 27 October 2026; conditions can change quickly—check national public health authorities, travel‑health clinic guidance and official entry requirements for the latest advice before you travel.