India-Africa summit in New Delhi postponed amid Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa

The India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to May 31 has been postponed following the Ebola outbreak reported in parts of Africa. The Ministry of External Affairs said the decision was taken after consultations between the Government of India, the chairperson of the African Union and the African Union Commission, citing the evolving health situation across affected regions.

According to the government, the summit was intended to strengthen political dialogue, economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology transfer and people-to-people relations between India and African nations. Officials said both sides agreed that postponing the summit would help ensure full participation and engagement of African leaders and stakeholders. Fresh dates for the summit will be announced after mutual consultations.

The World Health Organization stated that the current Ebola outbreak has resulted in around 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths. The outbreak has mainly affected the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern earlier this week.

Health authorities said the outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The WHO stated that trends in suspected infections and clusters of deaths indicate the possibility of a wider outbreak with regional transmission risks. Ebola causes fever, weakness, muscle pain and sore throat in its initial stages and can later progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding, dehydration and organ failure.

Following the outbreak, Indian authorities have intensified surveillance and preparedness measures across the country. States and Union Territories have been instructed to strengthen screening procedures, quarantine protocols, referral systems, case management and laboratory testing arrangements. Officials stated that India has not reported any Ebola cases so far.