Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pancheria on Thursday allayed public concern over a possible Ebola outbreak in the state, confirming that the suspected case of a traveler from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had tested negative for the virus.
This announcement came through a statement issued on social media, with the aim of preventing the spread of misinformation and panic among the public.
In the X post, Panchiria urged citizens not to panic and rely on the information provided by the Ministry of Health to stay away from any rumours.
He added, “The report of a suspected case of infection with the contagious Ebola virus coming from the Congo was negative. Citizens are requested not to feel any kind of fear or panic, stay away from rumors, and rely only on the official information provided by the Ministry of Health.”
Read also | Ebola patient tests negative, Gujarat minister informs; The government says it is fully alert to the situation
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, decided on 17 May that the situation constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in light of the Ebola outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The number of cases linked to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to rise, with 1,077 suspected cases reported since the outbreak began, including 246 deaths, the Congolese government said on Wednesday.
According to the German News Agency, 121 cases of infection were confirmed in the laboratory, including 17 fatal cases.
The World Health Organization believes the actual number is much higher because the outbreak in Ituri District, on the border with Uganda and South Sudan, went unnoticed for weeks, and not all cases were reported.
Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. (that I)
