East African health ministers to hold emergency meeting over Ebola outbreak

By The Inspirer.

Health ministers from East African Community (EAC) member states are set to hold an emergency virtual meeting on June 1–2, 2026, to discuss the escalating Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the region.

The meeting comes amid renewed concern over the spread of the Ebola virus disease, particularly the Bundibugyo strain, which has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has raised fears of cross-border transmission.

According to the EAC Secretariat, the extraordinary session will assess the current outbreak situation and agree on coordinated regional response measures, with a focus on strengthening preparedness in countries yet to report cases and improving containment in affected areas.

The bloc said the discussions are part of urgent regional efforts to enhance cooperation among member states in order to safeguard public health and prevent further spread of the virus.

Key priorities will include harmonising emergency response strategies across the region and reinforcing surveillance, detection, and case management systems.

The EAC noted that the meeting follows a series of technical engagements, including sessions by regional disease control task forces and coordination platforms on regulatory frameworks for vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tools relevant to the Ebola response.

The outbreak in the DRC was first reported on May 15, 2026, in Ituri Province, shortly after the virus was confirmed to be spreading in the region.

On May 29, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 223 deaths were suspected to have been caused by Ebola in the DRC, with more than 1,000 suspected infections recorded.

In Uganda, one death has been confirmed among nine laboratory-confirmed cases, according to health authorities.

The EAC said the coordinated response is aimed at strengthening regional solidarity in protecting lives and preventing further cross-border transmission of the disease.