India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to help combat the emerging Ebola outbreak.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the move, stating India remains committed to supporting Africa during this public health crisis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Bundibugyo strain outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17. Africa CDC also classified it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee issued temporary recommendations on May 22, urging stronger surveillance at Points of Entry to detect travellers with unexplained febrile illness from affected areas.
Officials assessed neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, as high-risk zones for transmission. Ebola disease, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, is a viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Currently, no vaccines or specific treatments exist for this strain.
In line with WHO’s recommendations, India advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan until further notice.
