East African Community (EAC) health ministers are set to hold an emergency meeting on June 1 and 2, 2026, amid growing concerns over an Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 130 people and infected over 1,000 others in the region.
The virtual meeting, convened by the EAC Secretariat, will bring together senior health officials to coordinate a unified response to the outbreak, which has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
The regional bloc said the session will focus on strengthening preparedness and preventing further cross-border transmission of the deadly virus.
“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 Secretariat said in a statement.
Key agenda items include enhancing cross-border surveillance, improving rapid response mechanisms, and harmonising regional health protocols. The Secretariat noted that the high-level engagement follows a series of emergency coordination meetings and technical consultations aimed at boosting preparedness following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.