Ebola outbreak: India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi postponed

NEW DELHI: The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, which was scheduled to be held in Delhi on the 28th of this month, has been postponed due to the worsening Ebola outbreak in several African countries. The government said the new dates for the summit will be announced later. The decision was taken after discussions between India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission.

Several African regions have reported cases of the deadly Ebola virus. The latest cases were reported in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following the outbreak, authorities at Delhi airport issued health warnings for travellers arriving from affected regions and for those who have travelled through such areas. Passengers with symptoms have been advised to immediately consult health experts. The alert was issued after a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Health Secretary with officials from different states.

The meeting reviewed the preventive measures and healthcare preparations being taken in India to deal with Ebola. Health officials said Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected persons. Based on this, monitoring and screening at airports have been intensified. The World Health Organisation has expressed concern over the rapid spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making it more dangerous. According to WHO officials, it may take at least nine months to develop a vaccine against this strain. Two vaccines are currently under development, but clinical trials have not yet been conducted. WHO advisor Dr Vasee Moorthy shared this information.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that 139 deaths have already been confirmed due to the latest Ebola outbreak, while the number of suspected cases has crossed 600. He also warned that the number of infections could rise further because of delays in detecting the virus.