India Issues Ebola Advisory For Travellers From High-Risk African Nations

NEW DELHI, May 21: India has issued a health advisory for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected African countries, directing travellers with symptoms or exposure history to immediately report to airport health authorities before immigration clearance.

The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), identified the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as high-risk countries following the World Health Organisation (WHO) alert on Ebola.

The Airport Health Organisation (APHO) has displayed the advisory at the Delhi airport, asking travellers to remain alert for symptoms including fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat and unexplained bleeding.

Passengers who had direct contact with blood or body fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola patients have also been asked to immediately inform airport health officers or health desks.

According to APHO, travellers developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival must seek immediate medical attention and disclose their travel history to authorities.

On Wednesday, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a high-level meeting with health secretaries of all states and Union Territories to review preparedness and response measures related to Ebola.

Health Ministry officials clarified that no Ebola case has been reported in India so far.

However, following the WHO’s declaration of Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Centre has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures across the country as a precautionary step, official sources said.

States and Union Territories have been directed to ensure readiness at all levels, while detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering screening, quarantine, case management, referral systems and laboratory testing have already been shared with them.

Officials said all concerned ministries and departments have also been sensitised and are coordinating with the Health Ministry to strengthen preventive and surveillance measures. (Agencies)