Chennai International Airport has activated preparedness measures in light of the Ebola virus, intensifying screening and setting up isolation rooms at the international terminal for arrivals from affected countries.
“As a public health precaution, dedicated isolation rooms have been set up at the International Arrivals Terminal (T-2) of Chennai Airport for passengers exhibiting Ebola-related symptoms,” the airport said in a post on its official X handle.
She added that the airport is ensuring that all applicable medical response protocols are followed, while passenger screening procedures are strictly adhered to. “…coordination mechanisms have also been strengthened with the state Ministry of Health, #APHO and all relevant health agencies as part of preparedness measures at the airport to ensure the safety, well-being and smooth movement of passengers,” the airport added.
The isolation rooms set up at T2 are equipped with dedicated safety and infection control measures to facilitate “effective containment and passenger safety,” Chennai Airport said.
Read also | The government issues travel advice, urging people to avoid countries affected by Ebola
Union Health Minister Nadda says there is no Ebola case in India and is reviewing measures
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said no case of Ebola infection has been reported in India so far, while directing officials to ensure all surveillance and testing arrangements are implemented, news agency PTI reported. Nadda said that enhanced screening and monitoring procedures have been initiated at international airports and other entry points.
He added that advice – including standard operating procedures (SOPs) on screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory tests and infection prevention – has been shared with the states.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for public health preparedness and response to the virus. The regulatory body urged airlines to make in-flight announcements, and offered to sign self-declaration forms for passengers arriving from or transiting through the affected countries.
The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola epidemic is outpacing the response
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola – for which there is not yet a known vaccine – in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is outpacing response efforts.
Tedros said he would travel to Congo with another senior WHO official responsible for handling health emergencies, Chikwe Ihekweazo, Reuters news agency reported. The World Health Organization has declared that the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus represents a public emergency of global concern.
Uganda, a country neighboring Congo, announced two new cases of Ebola on Monday, bringing its total to seven. The head of the World Health Organization indicated that there was a great risk to other countries bordering Congo, and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to limit the spread of the virus.
