Ebola outbreak won’t change plans for Africa summit, officials say

The outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa will not alter plans for a summit with African leaders next week, Obama administration officials said Thursday.

“We have no plans to change the agenda of the summit, but we will obviously adapt as needed in consultation with our international partners,” National Security Council Senior Director Gayle Smith said on a call with reporters.

{mosads}Leaders from several West African countries have already said they will not attend the first-of-its-kind event in Washington, D.C. as their populations cope with rising Ebola infections.

The total number of infections surpassed 1,300 on Thursday with the death toll reaching at least 729, according to the World Health Organization.

The worst of the outbreak is taking place in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The Centers for Disease Control responded by issuing its most serious travel warning for the three countries. The alert urged U.S. residents to avoid any non-essential trips.

CDC officials said they are heightening their response to the outbreak on the ground in West Africa and in the United States. One of two Americans infected will reportedly arrive for treatment at Emory University in Atlanta this week.

The White House said nearly 50 African leaders are expected to attend next week’s summit.