KOCHI: Health surveillance and precautionary protocols have been intensified at Kochi airport amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in Africa.
The move follows an emergency preparedness meeting jointly convened by Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which manages the airport, and the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) on Friday.
It was decided to strengthen passenger monitoring systems at the airport for the early detection of symptoms and reinforce coordinated public health response measures.
“A 24x7 monitoring system has been activated at the airport. Thermal screening and 21 days of travel history verification have been introduced for international passengers.
Considering the global alert over Ebola outbreaks, passengers arriving from countries including Congo, Uganda and South Sudan will be placed under special health surveillance,” the CIAL said in a statement. Isolation wards are currently set up at the Ernakulam General Hospital, Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery and District Hospital in Aluva.