The maiden edition of the African Property Awards (APA) scheduled to take place in London later this year, has been postponed due to what organisers say, is the intensity of the Ebola Virus Disease.

This follows the fear expressed some of the participants over the health implications of the international event at a time that the lethal virus is ravaging the continent, particularly West Africa where over 1,200 people have died since March this year.

At present, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have restricted flights from countries hit by the outbreak of the Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever.

The African Property Awards includes a series of Awards presentation and business networking events, together with the release of prestigious African Best Publication for Award winners.

The Organisers of the African Property Awards say they have observed a heightened state of global concern over Ebola and how fast and far it may travel, therefore, the decision to postpone it.

The Executive Director of the African Property Awards, Irene Agyenkwa said the economic impact of the African Property Awards (APA) on the continent cannot be underestimated.

“Even though a lot of preparation and resources have gone into the maiden edition of the 2014 Awards, health matters should not be taken for granted,” Irene Agyenkwa said.

She called for the need to put contingency plans in place in order to avoid any Ebola setback that would potentially reverse the gains that Africa has made over the years.

“It is imperative to inform foreign consulates and commissions–the Embassy and High Commission communities to better understand some of the key points about the Ebola virus”.