The Directorate General of Health Services issued a health advisory on Thursday for passengers arriving from or transiting through countries affected by Ebola. Travelers are urged to immediately report to airport health authorities and seek medical care within 21 days if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding, or if they have had direct contact with infected individuals.
"Any traveller developing the above symptoms within 21 days of arrival should immediately seek medical care and inform healthcare authorities about their travel history," the advisory states. It further emphasizes cooperation with health screening and public health measures in the interest of passenger safety and compliance with International Health Regulations.
This advisory follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava with health secretaries of all states and Union territories to review preparedness and response measures against Ebola virus disease. The meeting was convened as Ebola cases in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have surpassed 100 deaths.
The discussions focused on strengthening surveillance, screening, quarantine protocols, and hospital readiness. The Centre confirmed that no Ebola case has been detected in India so far. The Union health ministry stated that precautionary measures have been stepped up in light of the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.
During the review meeting, states and Union territories were instructed to ensure preparedness at every level of the healthcare system. The Centre has circulated detailed Standard Operating Procedures covering pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine procedures, laboratory testing, case management, and referral mechanisms.
The Union health secretary stressed the need for coordinated surveillance, timely reporting, and readiness of designated healthcare facilities to address any potential threat. Relevant ministries and departments have been sensitized and are working in coordination with the health ministry on preventive and surveillance measures.
The ministry highlighted India's prior experience in handling Ebola-related preparedness, referencing the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa when similar measures were successfully implemented. The Centre urged citizens not to panic and to continue following official health advisories and updates.
Earlier, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
