India-Africa summit postponed as Ebola spreads to M23-held DR Congo area

The India-Africa Forum Summit, scheduled for next week in New Delhi, has been postponed by the African Union and India due to the "evolving health situation in parts of Africa." This decision acknowledges the importance of full participation from African leaders and stakeholders, especially given the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The postponement comes as the first Ebola case was confirmed in South Kivu province, an area controlled by M23 rebels, complicating containment efforts already hampered by ongoing armed conflict. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international emergency, and the virus's spread to densely populated areas in eastern DRC presents significant challenges to response efforts.

Experts state the US is not actively combating a new Ebola outbreak in central Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, following significant cuts to global health funding and research. Hundreds of cases have been reported in the DRC since April, with deaths also occurring in Uganda. This outbreak involves a rare Bundibugyo variant of Ebola for which there is no cure or vaccine. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been dismantled, and key scientific research, including at a dedicated Ebola lab, has been canceled. US foreign assistance to the DRC and Uganda has drastically decreased. Health leaders and scientists are working to understand and contain the spread, but the US presence in these efforts is described as notably absent.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has canceled its pre-World Cup training camp in Kinshasa due to an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country, which has caused over 130 deaths. Preparations have been relocated to Belgium. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." The cancellation of the camp is also attributed to travel restrictions imposed by the United States, a co-host of the World Cup, which bans entry for non-Americans who have recently been in the DR Congo. Despite the camp's cancellation, the national team's pre-tournament games in Europe are still scheduled to proceed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General expressed deep concern over the "scale and speed" of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, announcing an emergency committee meeting. The outbreak has resulted in over 500 suspected cases and 33 confirmed cases in the DRC, with two confirmed cases in Uganda, and a total of 131 fatalities. The WHO has approved $3.9 million in emergency funding and declared the outbreak a public health emergency. The U.S. has issued an urgent travel warning for the DRC due to the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rarer variant.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a public health emergency of international concern due to its scale and speed. As of the article's reporting, there have been at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths in the DRC since the outbreak began. Cases have also been confirmed in Uganda and a US citizen has tested positive and been transferred to Germany. The outbreak is particularly concerning due to its spread in urban areas, among health workers, and in the insecure, conflict-ridden province of Ituri, which has seen significant population displacement. The Bundibugyo virus strain, which is causing this outbreak, currently has no vaccines or treatments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold an emergency committee meeting to discuss vaccine options for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC has reported 131 estimated deaths from 513 suspected cases, with the WHO declaring a public health emergency of international concern earlier this week. Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is "deeply concerned" about the scale and speed of the epidemic, which has spread to Uganda. No vaccine or treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is behind the latest outbreak. The meeting aims to provide technical advice and recommendations to address the crisis. The WHO's Emergency Committee will convene later on Tuesday to discuss the outbreak.

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is proving difficult to contain due to a rare strain and its presence in conflict-affected areas. Initial cases were reported in Ituri towns and the city of Goma, with a case also appearing in Uganda. The outbreak's slow reporting is attributed to communities initially believing the illness to be witchcraft, leading them to seek treatment from prayer centers instead of hospitals. Funerals are a particular concern, with public health campaigns providing information on safe practices. Rebel groups in Goma have stated they are forming an Ebola response team, though collaboration with the government remains uncertain. Neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan are at high risk of spread, prompting the Africa CDC to discuss strengthening responses with them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a funding crisis, exacerbated by the US withdrawal in January 2025, leading to a 9% decrease in its program budget for 2026-27. This financial strain is weakening disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness efforts, as highlighted by current Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks. Experts warn that reduced funding directly impacts the WHO's ability to effectively respond to epidemics and pandemics, potentially delaying detection and slowing containment. The article also notes that the WHO is struggling to secure agreement on a pandemic treaty due to pathogen-sharing disputes. These challenges raise concerns about the world's preparedness for future global health emergencies.

The Congolese health minister announced the opening of three new Ebola treatment centers in the Ituri region on Sunday evening amidst an ongoing outbreak. This announcement came as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, citing over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths in Congo and Uganda. A team of 35 experts and 7 tons of medical supplies have also arrived in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, to bolster response efforts. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of Ebola for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines. The WHO's declaration aims to mobilize international support for a coordinated response to the serious and potentially internationally spreading event.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a new Ebola outbreak in its northeastern Ituri province, with at least 80 deaths reported and nearly 250 suspected cases. The Bundibugyo strain, which has no vaccine or specific treatment and a lethality rate potentially reaching 50 percent, was confirmed on Friday. The outbreak began with a nurse who sought care on April 24 in Bunia, the provincial capital. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is concerned about rapid spread due to high population density and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan, where one death has also been reported. Health workers are intensifying screening and contact tracing to contain the disease.

A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in Congo's Ituri province, resulting in 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Health officials are investigating the specific strain, with initial tests suggesting it may not be the deadliest Ebola Zaire variant. Neighboring Uganda has reported one imported death from Congo. The outbreak is concentrated in an area near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan, raising concerns about regional spread due to travel and insecurity. The World Health Organization has deployed a response team and provided emergency funding, while Congo has stockpiles of treatments and some vaccine doses, though their effectiveness varies by strain. This marks Congo's 17th recorded Ebola outbreak.

An Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of Congo has resulted in at least 80 reported deaths. Health workers are intensifying screening and contact tracing efforts to contain the disease. The outbreak was first announced on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases at that time. Residents in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, have expressed fear due to the ongoing daily burials, with some reporting multiple deaths and burials each day for about a week. The exact nature of the disease remains unclear to some locals.

Health officials are raising concerns about a new Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa CDC has reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths. The outbreak is particularly worrying due to the affected area's proximity to Uganda and South Sudan and a challenging security situation caused by armed groups. Preliminary tests have detected the Ebola virus in a significant number of samples. This outbreak follows the DRC's previous Ebola episode, which ended five months ago. The Africa CDC is organizing an urgent meeting with regional health authorities and partners to bolster cross-border surveillance and response efforts, citing risks from population movement and control difficulties in the remote, poorly accessible region.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a fatal Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of Congo. As of Friday, May 15, 2026, there are 246 suspected cases and 65 recorded deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. The highly contagious Ebola virus spreads through bodily fluids. In response to this confirmed outbreak, an urgent cross-border meeting has been called.

An Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 65 deaths among 246 suspected cases. The affected region borders Uganda and South Sudan, raising concerns for Africa CDC about potential further spread due to high population movement in mining towns. Early testing suggests this outbreak may be a different strain of Ebola than the Zaire strain, for which vaccines are available. The DRC has experienced numerous Ebola outbreaks since 1976. Health officials are convening an urgent meeting with neighboring countries and the World Health Organization to coordinate a rapid regional response.