New Delhi, May 21: Indian authorities have stepped up Ebola surveillance and health screenings at airports following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The Airport Health Organisation (APHO), under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), has issued new guidelines for travelers arriving from or transiting through affected countries, including Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Passengers are advised to report immediately to airport health officers if they experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, or unexplained bleeding.
Travelers who have had direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient are instructed to report at airport health desks before immigration clearance. Anyone developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek immediate medical attention and inform authorities about their recent travel history.
Health officials emphasized that no Ebola cases have been reported in India, but precautionary surveillance and preparedness measures are being reinforced to ensure public safety. Ebola, a severe viral disease, spreads through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids and can cause high fever, bleeding, and multi-organ complications. Unlike airborne diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola does not spread through casual contact, making early detection and isolation critical to preventing outbreaks.
The WHO declaration has prompted countries worldwide to strengthen traveler monitoring and public health readiness, highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting global health.