Hours after the Indian government issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that India has sent emergency medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
India's Response to Ebola Emergency
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to @AfricaCDC today." He further stated that India is committed to supporting Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency.
Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Central Africa
The development comes as the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa continues to escalate. According to the health ministry, Congo reported nearly 867 suspected cases and 204 deaths as of Saturday. The outbreak has spread across three provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the first confirmed case detected in South Kivu. Two Ebola cases, including one death, have also been confirmed in neighboring Uganda after infected individuals traveled from the DRC.
WHO Declares Ebola a Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organization, on May 17, 2026, declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations, 2005. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no specific vaccine. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the outbreak as "especially challenging," citing ongoing fighting, displacement of people, the transient population of miners, and significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population.
India's swift action underscores its commitment to global health security and solidarity with African nations during this critical time.
