Indian government has sounded alert for the deadly Ebola virus and put in mechanism to screen passengers in airports.
New Delhi, Aug 9/Nationalturk – Although no case of Ebola virus has been reported in India, Indian government is not taking any chances and sounded alert for the deadly disease and will screen passengers in airports.
“There is no need to panic. As of now, no Ebola case has been reported in India,” Indian Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told reporters outside Indian parliament.
World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday declared the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) as the “most complex outbreak leading to public health emergency”. It has called for global health alert in all countries.
As of August 4, WHO says 1,711 people have been infected, of whom 932 have died. The four countries affected are all in western Africa– Guinea (393 deaths), Sierra Leone (286 deaths), Liberia (282 deaths) and Nigeria (1 death).
Indian Health Minister said Indian government has taken steps ahead of the WHO declaration. “There is no cause for panic. We have put in operation the most advanced surveillance and tracking systems,” he said.
‘Hospital in Delhi identified for treatment of any case’
In Indian capital New Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has been identified for treatment and management of any case of EVD.
Indian Health Ministry has opened a 24-hour “Emergency Operation Centre” (Helpline) which will be functional from today.
“A mechanism has been worked out in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs for collection and collation of information on travellers to India through the affected countries. Flight passengers will be made to mandatorily declare through health cards their movement in the recent past and their addresses in India,” an Indian health ministry official said.
He said the database would help in the tracking of people who later develop symptoms.
Surveillance strengthened at airports, ports
The official said surveillance is being strengthened at airports and ports. “The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) is on alert. The National Institute of Virology, Pune and National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi are prepared to test samples for diagnosis.”
The estimated 47,000 Indians in the affected countries are being contacted by the Indian missions and supplied all didactic material so as to create awareness about prevention and self-reporting measures.
WHO had on Friday noted that the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa constituted an “extraordinary event” and a public health risk to other countries.
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