India postpones Africa summit over Ebola outbreak in DR Congo

India and the African Union have postponed a summit scheduled to hold next week in New Delhi following the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

The Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, earlier fixed for May 28 to May 31 in New Delhi, was postponed after concerns over the emerging public health situation on the African continent.

 

“Mindful of the emerging public health situation on the continent… the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.

 

India also pledged support for efforts led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to address the health crisis.

 

“India remains ready to contribute to Africa CDC-led efforts aimed at addressing the evolving health situation,” the ministry added.

 

The World Health Organization said last Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak poses a high risk in Central Africa but remains low globally.

 

The outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever was officially declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday.

 

According to health authorities, the current outbreak — the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in DR Congo — is suspected to have caused 139 deaths from about 600 probable cases.

 

Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past 50 years.

 

In response to the outbreak, Delhi’s international airport issued a health advisory for passengers arriving from DR Congo and neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan.

 

India said new dates for the summit would be announced later while reaffirming the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening public health preparedness and response across Africa.