India brings back Air Suvidha amid Ebola alert
As India intensifies surveillance amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa, all international travellers, including those traveling from the UAE, must complete a mandatory online health declaration before arriving in the country.The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday launched Air Suvidha 2.0, a contactless digital platform that enables passengers to provide their health and travel information online before departure.The move follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola/Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).This requirement applies to passengers arriving from all countries, including the UAE, which is one of India’s busiest international travel corridors with multiple daily flights connecting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates to Indian cities.
What travelers in the UAE should do
Passengers can complete the Air Suvidha self-declaration form online within 24 hours before the start of their journey.The form requires travelers to provide:
- Their travel history within the past 21 days
- Details of any exposure to areas affected by the Ebola virus
- Information about symptoms, if any, such as fever, body aches, or bleeding
After submission, travelers can download the completed form and submit it to the International Travel Health Office or Immigration Office upon arrival in India.
Authorities say the digital operation aims to reduce airport congestion and enable faster identification of potentially at-risk travellers. Why did India bring back Sufida flights?India had earlier requested health declaration forms for international arrivals after growing global concern over the Ebola outbreak. However, the initial paper system led to long lines and delays at many airports.Air Suvidha 2.0 digitizes the process by sharing passenger information in real-time with airport health officials, immigration authorities and government surveillance teams, allowing screening to be carried out without the need for physical paperwork.
Ebola outbreak raises global alert
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, was declared in northeastern DRC in May.Countries bordering Congo and Uganda have been classified as high risk for transmission.
The Ebola virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals and bodily fluids. Over the past five decades, the disease has claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people across Africa.There are currently no vaccines or treatments specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain. WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a US$518 million response plan aimed at strengthening surveillance, testing and infection control measures across the region.Earlier this month, Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced India’s contribution of US$ 10 million towards Ebola preparedness, response and recovery efforts in affected African countries.
