EAC Schedules Urgent Meeting to Coordinate Ebola Response Across Member States

EAC Schedules Urgent Meeting to Coordinate Ebola Response Across Member States

Health ministers from across the East African Community (EAC) are set to convene an emergency meeting on Monday, June 1, and Tuesday, June 2, as regional leaders intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak that has raised concerns across several countries in East and Central Africa.

The high-level virtual meeting comes amid growing fears over the spread of the virus in parts of the region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan, where health authorities continue to monitor new infections and strengthen containment measures.

In a statement released by the regional bloc, the EAC confirmed that ministers responsible for health from the eight member states would hold an extraordinary session aimed at reviewing the outbreak situation and coordinating a unified regional response.

“The EAC is set to convene an Extra-Ordinary Virtual Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Health on 1st–2nd June 2026, to deliberate on the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting the region,” the regional body stated.

The meeting is expected to bring together senior health policymakers, disease surveillance experts, emergency response teams, and regional public health stakeholders to assess the evolving threat posed by the outbreak and identify strategies to strengthen preparedness across member states.

According to the EAC Secretariat, discussions will focus heavily on enhancing cross-border surveillance systems, improving rapid response mechanisms, harmonising regional health protocols, and ensuring effective information sharing among member countries.

Regional officials believe coordinated action remains essential given the interconnected nature of East Africa’s transport, trade, and migration networks, which can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases if not carefully monitored.

The Secretariat noted that the upcoming ministerial meeting forms part of a broader series of emergency interventions already initiated by the regional bloc since the outbreak was first reported.

“The convening of this high-level meeting is part of a series of urgent actions the EAC Secretariat has initiated, having already intensified regional coordination and preparedness measures following the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus,” the statement added.

Health authorities say the urgency of the discussions reflects the increasing need for a coordinated regional strategy as countries work to prevent further transmission while maintaining critical economic and social activities across borders.

Reports from regional health agencies indicate that more than 130 deaths have been linked to the outbreak, with over 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases recorded in affected areas. While the majority of cases have been concentrated in specific regions, health experts warn that population movement could increase the risk of wider transmission if surveillance systems are not strengthened.

The latest developments have placed several countries, including Kenya, on heightened alert. Kenyan authorities have already intensified screening at airports, border posts, and other points of entry as part of broader preparedness efforts designed to prevent the importation of Ebola cases.

The regional meeting also comes against the backdrop of growing public debate in Kenya regarding plans to establish a quarantine facility intended to support the monitoring of individuals exposed to the virus.

The proposed facility has generated significant public discussion, with critics expressing concerns about potential public health risks and demanding greater transparency regarding any agreements involving international partners.

Several stakeholders have argued that priority should be given to strengthening outbreak control measures at the source of transmission while ensuring that any regional interventions fully comply with public health regulations and constitutional requirements.

The issue gained further prominence after the High Court temporarily suspended plans related to the proposed facility, pending the hearing and determination of legal challenges filed by civil society groups.

Despite the legal dispute, government officials have maintained that Kenya remains committed to supporting regional and global health security initiatives while safeguarding the health and safety of its citizens.

Public health experts note that the upcoming EAC meeting could prove crucial in shaping the region’s next phase of Ebola preparedness, particularly as governments seek to balance disease control measures with the need to maintain trade, travel, and economic stability.

As ministers gather for the two-day emergency session, attention will be focused on whether the regional bloc can develop a unified strategy capable of containing the outbreak while strengthening East Africa’s collective ability to respond to future public health emergencies.

With the virus continuing to pose a threat across parts of the region, the outcome of the meeting is expected to play a significant role in determining how member states coordinate surveillance, resource mobilisation, emergency response operations, and public communication in the weeks ahead.

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EAC Schedules Urgent Meeting to Coordinate Ebola Response Across Member States