The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory directing travelers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries to inform health authorities at airports immediately if they develop symptoms associated with the disease.
The advisory issued by the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare identified the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as countries at risk of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
“Alert passengers arriving from or transiting through affected countries: Passengers who have traveled from countries reporting Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan (high-risk country) – and experience any of the following symptoms should take immediate action,” the DGHS advisory said.
The ministry listed symptoms as including fever, weakness or fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding and sore throat. The bulletin also asked travelers to self-report if they have had direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person suspected or confirmed of having Ebola.
“Inform the airport health officer or health office immediately before obtaining immigration clearance,” the warning read.
The directive also stipulates that any traveler who develops symptoms within 21 days of arrival in India should seek immediate medical attention and disclose his travel history to health authorities.
“Any traveler who develops the above symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek medical attention immediately and also inform healthcare authorities of their travel history. “Please cooperate with health screening and public health measures in the interest of passenger safety and International Health Regulations (IHR),” the warning read.
A day earlier, Union Health Minister Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a high-level meeting with states and union territories to review Ebola preparedness and response measures.
During the meeting, states and union territories were asked to ensure preparedness at all levels, even as the ministry asserted that no case of Ebola infection has been reported in India so far.
However, after the World Health Organization declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern, the government intensified surveillance and preparedness measures across the country as a precautionary step.
According to the ministry, 51 cases of Ebola have been confirmed so far in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, although the World Health Organization has said the actual size of the outbreak is likely much larger.
Uganda also reported to WHO two confirmed cases in the capital, Kampala, including one death, among individuals who had traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The ministry said that the list of high-risk countries is based on WHO bulletins and will be updated in line with reviews issued by the United Nations health body.
“The Government of India remains fully vigilant and ready to respond quickly to any emerging situation. We advise citizens that there is no reason to panic, while continuing to follow official advisories and updates issued by health authorities,” a senior health ministry official, requesting anonymity, said.
