India tightens Ebola surveillance at airports, issues health advisory for travellers from African nations | India News
New Delhi: After the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC), India stepped up Ebola surveillance and screening at airports, with health authorities issuing a new advisory for passengers arriving or transiting from affected countries.The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Union Health Ministry, has asked passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to immediately report to airport health officials if they experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, headache, sore throat, muscle pain or unexplained bleeding.The advisory, issued by the Airport Health Organization (APHO), instructs passengers in direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient to report to the airport health desk prior to immigration clearance.Officials said travelers who develop symptoms within 21 days of arrival are advised to seek immediate medical care and notify health authorities of their travel history.The health ministry maintains that no Ebola cases have been reported in India so far, but surveillance and preparedness measures are being strengthened as a precautionary measure.Ebola is a deadly viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected blood or body fluids and can cause high fever, bleeding, and multi-organ complications. Unlike airborne infections like Covid-19, Ebola is not spread through casual contact, but experts say early detection and isolation are critical to preventing outbreaks.The WHO announcement prompted several countries to strengthen surveillance of international travelers and strengthen public health preparedness measures.
