New Delhi, May 21
India has issued a health advisory for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. Travellers showing symptoms linked to Ebola have been directed to immediately report to airport health authorities before immigration clearance as part of enhanced surveillance measures.
The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services, has been displayed at Delhi airport by the Airport Health Organisation. Passengers have been asked to remain alert for symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, muscle pain and unexplained bleeding.
Authorities have also instructed travellers who may have come in direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient to report to health officials at airports without delay.
According to health authorities, anyone developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival in India should seek immediate medical attention and disclose their recent travel history.
The Union Health Ministry has clarified that no Ebola case has been detected in India so far. However, the Centre has stepped up preparedness measures following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting with health secretaries of states and Union Territories to review the country’s preparedness and response strategy.
The Centre has already shared detailed standard operating procedures with states and Union Territories covering airport screening, quarantine measures, laboratory testing, case management and referral systems.
Officials said all concerned ministries and departments have been sensitised and are coordinating preventive and surveillance measures with the Health Ministry to ensure readiness in the event of an emergency.
