India steps up ebola surveillance, preparedness after WHO emergency declaration
New Delhi: India has stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures at points of entry and across public health systems as a matter of “high alert” after the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over an Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa.Senior officials of the Union Health Ministry, including teams from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), ICMR and other concerned departments, met on Monday to review the evolving situation and initiate precautionary public health measures, officials said.The ministry has clarified that there are no Ebola cases in India and the current risk to the country is minimal.This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain and has been reported from parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.Officials said the center has initiated a review of standard operating procedures for screening, surveillance, quarantine and case management, while laboratory readiness is also being expanded. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has been designated as the nodal testing center and additional laboratories are being onboarded in phases.Coordination with multiple ministries and agencies has also been strengthened to monitor international travel from affected areas.Isolation and quarantine facilities at major airports and ports have been identified and kept ready in case of any suspected cases, officials said.The ministry urged the public and media not to panic or disseminate unverified information, stressing that India’s public health system is alert and fully prepared to respond to any emerging situation.Officials also noted that India had not reported any Ebola cases during previous outbreaks and global alerts linked to the disease, including in 2014 and 2019, and said the government maintained close coordination with international health authorities.
