HYDERABAD: Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha on Tuesday said no cases of Ebola have been reported in Telangana so far. Officials informed him that, as of May 25, a total of 58 passengers had arrived in the city from Ebola-hit countries and none showed symptoms of the disease.
The minister conducted a high-level review meeting to assess the state’s preparedness following Ebola outbreaks in some African countries. Officials told him that all precautionary measures were being implemented in accordance with Union government guidelines.
Special screening and thermal scanning facilities have been arranged at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport for passengers arriving from countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. A dedicated team of doctors, health inspectors, field staff and paramedical personnel has been deployed at the airport to monitor them. Officials said 108 ambulance services were on standby round the clock to handle emergencies. A 10-bed isolation ward has been set up at Gandhi Hospital and Dr Sunil Kumar has been appointed nodal officer. Samples of suspected cases are being sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing.
Officials said passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries without symptoms were being placed under 21-day home isolation and monitored by district surveillance teams. All 58 passengers who arrived in Hyderabad from affected countries have been categorised under Category-I and placed under home isolation.
During the meeting, the minister directed officials to ensure there were no lapses in monitoring. He instructed that any passenger showing symptoms should be shifted immediately to the isolation ward at Gandhi Hospital.
Rajanarsimha directed all government hospitals to remain on high alert.