NEW DELHI: Even as WHO warned that suspected cases and deaths due to Ebola may rise further, India on Wednesday said there is no reported case of the viral disease in the country so far.
Chairing a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness and response measures regarding Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava advised states and UTs “to ensure readiness at all levels”.
India quickly swung into action after the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Officials said India remains fully vigilant and prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging situation. “India has already pressed into service proactive preventive measures and has also enhanced surveillance and preparedness,” official sources said. “The government of India has proactively strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures across the country as an abundant precaution,” they added.
During the meeting, the union health secretary said that detailed SOPs covering pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine protocols, case management, referral mechanisms, and laboratory testing have already been shared with all states and UTs.
Srivastava also emphasised the importance of coordinated surveillance, timely reporting, and preparedness of designated health facilities.
“All concerned ministries and departments have also been sensitised and are undertaking appropriate preventive and surveillance measures in coordination with the Health Ministry,” the officials said.
“India has prior experience in handling such situations effectively, including during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa, when similar precautionary measures were implemented successfully,” they added.
“Citizens are advised to not panic, while continuing to follow official advisories and updates issued by health authorities,” the official added.
There have been 600 suspected cases of Ebola and 139 suspected deaths due to the outbreak, the WHO said on Wednesday. So far, 51 cases have been confirmed in Congo, which reported the first case, and two in Uganda.
WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said that the outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of Ebola was likely to have started “a couple of months ago”.
