SRINAGAR: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued a health advisory on Ebola for passengers arriving from or transiting through countries affected by the virus.
As per the advisory, travellers coming from high-risk nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, have been instructed to immediately inform airport health authorities if they develop any symptoms consistent with Ebola infection.
The symptoms listed include fever, weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding and sore throat.
Passengers who have had direct exposure to blood or other body fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases are required to notify the Airport Health Officer or health desk before completing immigration formalities.
The advisory further states that any traveller who develops symptoms within 21 days of arrival must seek immediate medical attention and disclose their recent travel history to healthcare providers.
Authorities have urged full compliance with airport health screening measures and public health protocols under International Health Regulations (IHR), with the list of affected countries updated in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has said the risk from the current Ebola outbreak remains high in central Africa but low globally, noting that the virus has likely been circulating for several months. The UN health agency has also highlighted that Ebola has caused more than 15,000 deaths in Africa over the past five decades and has declared the latest surge an international health emergency.
