India has issued a health advisory for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected nations, directing those with symptoms or exposure history to report to airport health authorities before immigration clearance.
The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), identifies the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as “high-risk countries” based on categorisation by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Displayed at the Delhi airport by the Airport Health Organisation (APHO), the advisory urges travellers to monitor symptoms including fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat and unexplained bleeding.
Passengers who had direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient have been advised to immediately report to the airport health officer or health desk.
According to APHO, travellers developing symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek immediate medical care and inform authorities about their travel history.
On Wednesday, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a high-level review meeting with health secretaries of states and Union territories to assess Ebola preparedness and response measures.
Union Health Ministry officials clarified that no Ebola case has been detected in India so far.
However, after the WHO declared Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Centre has strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures nationwide as a precautionary step, official sources said.
States and Union territories have been directed to ensure readiness at all levels, with detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on screening, quarantine, case management, referrals and laboratory testing already shared.
Officials said all concerned ministries and departments have also been sensitised and are undertaking preventive and surveillance measures in coordination with the health ministry.
(With inputs from PTI)