Bengaluru, May 22 (IANS). The Karnataka government has come on high alert after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’. The state health department has further strengthened surveillance and preparedness in view of the possible threat.
According to a statement issued by the Health Department, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) in Bengaluru has been made the isolation centre, while the Epidemic Disease Hospital has been identified as the quarantine and treatment centre.
Whereas in Mangaluru, Srinivas Port Hospital under New Mangalore Port Authority has been made a quarantine centre, while Wenlock District Hospital has been prepared as an isolation and treatment centre.
The Health Department said that samples of suspected Ebola patients will be sent to NIV Pune for confirmatory testing through National Institute of Virology (NIV), Bengaluru.
The government has appealed to the people to only trust the official information released by the Health Department instead of panicking. Officials said people returning from Ebola-affected countries will have to monitor their health condition for 21 days after their arrival in India. If any symptoms appear, it is advised to immediately contact the nearest health center.
The Health Department has clarified that at present no case of Ebola has been reported in India. However, precautionary measures have been intensified in view of international travel and trade.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that can cause symptoms such as high fever, weakness, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, body rashes and redness of the eyes.
The disease spreads through direct contact with the blood, organs or body fluids of an infected person. Things like contaminated clothes, bedding and syringes can also cause infection. Healthcare workers and close family members of an infected person are considered most at risk.
The state government has increased surveillance of suspected cases under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). Vigilance has also been increased at the airport and other entry points.
Apart from this, quarantine and isolation facilities have been kept ready, referral ambulance services have been put on alert, and special training is being given to health workers.
The Health Department said that adequate stock of PPE kits, medicines and lab facilities is being ensured across the state. Besides, rapid response teams have also been put on alert mode.
–IANS
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