A meeting was held with senior officials of the Union Health Ministry to review the preparedness of Ebola prevention, surveillance and emergency response system. Acting on the instructions of Union Minister Nadda, the Health Secretary called a meeting with officials of various ministries and related agencies. Instructions were issued to put screening and surveillance systems on full alert at all airports, ports and border entry points.
Tracking, testing and monitoring will remain active
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) have been directed to keep their tracking, testing and surveillance systems active at all times. The central government has clarified that no case of Ebola has been reported in the country so far; However, as a precautionary measure, preparations to fight the disease have been intensified. Every possible effort will be made to stop its spread in the country.
WHO declared global health emergency
The Ebola virus has spread to many African countries and is posing a threat to life. In view of this, WHO (World Health Organization) has declared a global health emergency. Following WHO advice, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all airports implementing guidelines similar to the protocols adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instructions issued to more than 20 airlines
As per the SOPs, airlines having direct or indirect contacts with Uganda and Congo have been instructed to ensure that passengers fill a self-declaration form before landing in India and then submit this form to the Union Health Ministry. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Emirates, Air France, Etihad Airways and EgyptAir have flight links with Congo. At the same time, the list of 17 airlines connecting to Uganda includes Air India, Indigo and KLM.
Keep mask and PPE kit with you
It is mandatory for airlines to make an announcement during the flight, instructing passengers to immediately inform the cabin crew if they notice symptoms such as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes or bleeding. In such a situation, the passenger will be shifted to the rear of the aircraft. The seats in front and next to the affected passenger will be vacated. Airlines are also required to include three-layer masks, disposable gloves, PPE kits and sanitizers in their first aid kits.
Before the current epidemic, Ebola had killed 11,000 people in Uganda.
It is worth noting that the Ebola virus had first spread in the African country Uganda. The first outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus occurred in the year 2000. Then, between 2014 and 2016, Ebola struck across West Africa. During that two-year period, more than 11,000 people lost their lives due to the virus. The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976. At the time, there were simultaneous outbreaks near the Ebola River in South Sudan and Congo; As a result, the virus was named Ebola.
