India, AU call off summit as Ebola crisis spreads across Central Africa

India, AU call off summit as Ebola crisis spreads across Central Africa

India and the African Union have shelved a planned summit following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has already claimed hundreds of suspected lives.

India and the African Union have postponed a summit scheduled for New Delhi from May 28–31 following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“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 foreign ministry said, adding that new dates would be announced later.

The World Health Organisation described the outbreak risk as high in central Africa but low globally, noting the virus had likely been spreading for months. The outbreak, the DRC’s 17th, has recorded around 600 probable cases with 139 suspected deaths.

Delhi’s international airport has since issued health advisories for passengers arriving from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.

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