Health Minister J P Nadda Reviews India’s Ebola Preparedness Amid Rising Cases in Africa
New Delhi:
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda today reviewed the country’s preparedness and surveillance measures for Ebola disease following the recent outbreak reported in parts of Africa.
During the high-level review meeting, Nadda stated that India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease so far. However, in view of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the Africa CDC announcing it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), the Centre has intensified monitoring and precautionary measures across the country.
The Health Minister said the government is closely tracking the evolving Ebola situation in Africa and has strengthened surveillance systems to safeguard public health in India.
Enhanced Screening at Airports and Entry Points
Nadda noted that the Union Health Ministry, in coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Civil Aviation authorities, Immigration officials, and other departments, has initiated enhanced screening and surveillance measures at international airports and other points of entry.
He said advisories and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing, and infection prevention have already been shared with all states and Union Territories.
Meetings have also been conducted with state governments and concerned stakeholders to review preparedness and emergency response mechanisms.
The Minister directed the Health Secretary, ICMR, and NCDC officials to ensure that all arrangements for tracking, testing, and surveillance remain in a constant state of readiness.
Travel Advisory Issued
As part of preventive measures, India issued a travel advisory on May 24 asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, where Ebola-related concerns have increased.
Earlier, on May 21, the Union Health Ministry had issued SOPs on public health preparedness and response protocols for Ebola disease, including guidelines for international passengers. On May 22, additional guidelines were released regarding hospital infection control, isolation facility preparedness, and the safe and dignified handling of human remains of Ebola patients.
Heightened Vigilance Across India
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units and Airport Health Organisations have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance for unexplained fever or illness among international travellers arriving in India.
Authorities have also been directed to ensure immediate reporting, isolation, and management of any suspected case.
Officials stated that Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
Senior Officials Attend Review Meeting
The review meeting was attended by senior officials including Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR; Dr Sunita Sharma, DGHS; Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry; G S Chitra, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, along with other senior officers.
The Centre reiterated that it remains in close coordination with international health agencies and will continue monitoring the global Ebola situation while maintaining preparedness measures across the country.
