Ebola outbreak: India-Africa summit postponed

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY

India and the African Union have postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled for 28 May to 31 May in New Delhi due to an Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

India and the African Union reaffirmed the importance of joint public health preparedness and response capacities across Africa, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

“Following these consultations, the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” the MEA said.

India issues advisory

India has also issued a health advisory at the Delhi airport for passengers arriving from or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

It has asked those with symptoms, such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat and unexplained bleeding, or exposure history, to immediately report to airport health authorities before immigration clearance.

Detailed SOPs related to the matter have already been shared with all states and Union territories, said sources.