India and African Union Postpone India-Africa Forum Summit Over Ebola Outbreak

India and the African Union have postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit that had been scheduled for next week in New Delhi. ” The joint statement said the decision was made to ensure full participation of African leaders and stakeholders. India stated it remains ready to contribute to Africa CDC-led efforts to address the health situation.

Healthcare workers and aid groups in eastern Congo said Thursday they need more supplies and staff to respond to the Ebola outbreak. The Bundibugyo strain has spread undetected for weeks after initial tests came back negative for a more common Ebola virus.

Hama Amado, the Bunia field coordinator for Alima, told The Associated Press the situation is gaining momentum and spreading in many areas. There is no available vaccine or medicine for this strain. So far, there are 139 suspected deaths and almost 600 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization has noted a low risk globally and said patient zero has not been found.

Doctors in the region are using out-of-date facemasks and treating suspected patients in general wards due to lack of isolation space. Almost 20 tons of aid has been airlifted to Bunia, the site of the first known death. The International Rescue Committee said communities in eastern DRC face pressure from conflict, displacement, and a collapsing health system.

Years of underfunding and recent cuts to health programming have weakened outbreak response capacity. There are over 920,000 internally displaced people in Ituri province, the current hot spot of the outbreak.