Considering the possibility of Ebola virus cases, Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are on alert. Meanwhile, a 47-year-old man from Nagpur, who returned from Uganda, has been advised to remain under home quarantine for 21 days as a precautionary measure. According to a circular issued by the Union Health Ministry, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Countries bordering DRC and Uganda, including South Sudan, are considered to be at high risk of disease transmission.

 

Dr Deepak Selokar, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), told ‘The Hitavada’, “As per the advisory issued by the Central Government, we need to monitor people returning from Uganda, Congo, Sudan, or neighbouring countries. The information regarding the person who returned from Uganda, who is under home quarantine, was shared with us by the airport health unit. Accordingly, we traced and contacted him. Though he does not have any symptoms, he has been advised home quarantine as per protocol.” NMC’s Health Department will monitor all passengers arriving from the affected countries.

 

Those without symptoms will be advised home quarantine, while anyone showing symptoms such as fever, weakness, nausea, or vomiting will be referred to GMCH for admission and treatment. GMCH has prepared a separate isolation ward for suspected Ebola patients, while AIIMS Nagpur has also enhanced its preparedness measures. Dr Selokar stated, “The death percentage of Ebola is around 60%, so strict precautions are necessary. We will also watch whether the person returning from above country has come in contact with a person suffering from Ebola.”

 

 

Advisory issued by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says:

 

Strengthen surveillance for unusual clusters of cases with signs and symptoms suggestive of Ebola disease (like fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, rash and red eyes), especially, among individuals with recent travel history to affected areas. Hospitals should designate isolation facilities and dedicated ambulance, with infection, prevention and control measures in place. 

 

Ensure availability of healthcare personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE), logistics, lab support and critical care capacities. 

 

ICMR’s National Institute of Virology, Pune is fully equipped to undertake testing of samples from suspect cases, detected during health screening at Points of Entry or in the community. 

 

Strengthen co-ordination among Port/airport health authorities, State Surveillance Units (SSUs), District Surveillance Units (DSUs), and other relevant agencies.