A 19-year-old Ugandan woman who arrived at Jaipur International Airport from the UAE on Friday was found with symptoms consistent with an Ebola infection, marking the first suspected case of the disease in Rajasthan.
Initial Screening and Hospitalization
The woman, who arrived in Jaipur from Sharjah on an Air Arabia flight, was flagged by health officials during routine screening at the airport. She was later shifted to the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) Hospital, where she was admitted to an isolation facility as a precautionary measure.
Official Clarifications
RUHS principal Dr. Mohnish Grower clarified that an Ebola infection has not been confirmed. The patient is currently being treated as a suspected case based on her symptoms and travel history. Officials stated that all standard isolation, surveillance, and contact-tracing protocols have been activated.
Symptoms and Medical Observation
Health officials reported that the woman had a month-long history of abdominal pain and loss of appetite, along with a headache. She remains under close medical observation in the hospital's critical care unit.
Testing Protocols
RUHS Hospital superintendent Dr. Anil Gupta said samples from the patient have been forwarded for testing. “The patient has symptoms that point to an Ebola infection, but the disease cannot be confirmed on symptoms alone,” he added.
The first sample has been sent to a specialized laboratory in Pune for testing, while a second sample will be dispatched after 48 hours, as per protocol. The woman will remain in quarantine until both test results come back.
Expected Results and Next Steps
Doctors at RUHS said the first test report is expected either by Saturday evening or Sunday morning. “The medical team extensively reviewed her travel and medical history before categorising her as a suspected case,” an official said. Authorities are also looking into the medical screening she underwent before her departure from Sharjah.
If the test results come back positive for Ebola, the woman will be kept in isolation for 21 days and treated according to established management protocols.
Advisory and Precautions
Authorities have issued advisories to passengers who traveled with her on the same flight, asking them to monitor their health and remain under observation. India has not reported any confirmed Ebola case so far, and officials urged people not to panic while awaiting the test results of the Ugandan woman.
