In view of the rising cases of Ebola in certain parts of Africa, the Union Ministry of Health has stepped up surveillance at international airports. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a public health advisory for passengers arriving from—or transiting through—high-risk countries.
Issued by the Ministry of Health through the Airport Health Organization (APHO), this advisory specifically identifies the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan as affected countries, which are currently under strict surveillance.
According to the advisory, passengers who have recently traveled to these countries and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, or unexplained bleeding have been asked to immediately inform airport health officials prior to immigration clearance.
The advisory also issues a warning to passengers who may have come into direct contact with a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient. Such individuals are advised to immediately consult a doctor and disclose their exposure history to the authorities.
As per the advisory, if a passenger develops symptoms within 21 days of arriving in India, they are advised to seek immediate medical assistance and provide full details of their recent travel history to the attending doctors. This 21-day period is based on the incubation period of the Ebola virus.
Officials have appealed to passengers to cooperate with the screening procedures and other public health measures implemented at airports in accordance with International Health Regulations. Officials stated that Airport Health Desks and surveillance teams have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure strict monitoring of international passengers arriving from affected regions. A high-level meeting, chaired by Union Health Secretary Punnya Salila Srivastava, was held with the Health Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to review the preparedness and measures for tackling the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The Ministry of Health has clarified that no case of Ebola Virus Disease has been reported in India so far. However, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of Ebola as a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ (PHEIC), the Central Government has, as a precautionary measure, already strengthened surveillance and preparedness across the country.
During the meeting, all States and Union Territories were advised to remain prepared at every level. They were informed that comprehensive guidelines regarding pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine protocols, patient care, referral mechanisms, and laboratory testing have already been shared with them.
The Union Health Secretary emphasized the need for coordinated surveillance, timely reporting, and keeping designated hospitals in a state of readiness. All relevant Ministries and Departments have also been put on alert regarding this matter and are working in coordination with the Ministry of Health to implement necessary preventive and surveillance measures.
The Ministry reiterated that India possesses extensive experience in effectively handling such situations. This includes the Ebola outbreak that spread across Africa in 2014, during which similar precautionary measures were successfully implemented.
