NEW DELHI: India has screened 10,974 international travellers arriving from Ebola-affected countries since May 23 after the World Health Organization declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), with no case detected in the country so far, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday.The government said surveillance and preparedness were intensified across the country following the WHO declaration, with enhanced screening at airports and other points of entry, mandatory travel declarations, designated isolation facilities, expanded laboratory capacity and nationwide mock drills to prepare for any suspected case.According to the ministry of health and family welfare, all international passengers are screened for recent travel to Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan—countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. The government has not imposed a blanket travel ban, but passengers with travel history to these countries during the previous 21 days are identified through Self Declaration Forms, including the Air Suvidha 2.0 portal.Mumbai accounted for the highest number of screened passengers at 7,568, followed by Delhi (1,833), Hyderabad (532), Chennai (210), Bengaluru (205) and Ahmedabad (200). At the state level, Gujarat recorded the highest number of screened passengers (2,905), followed by Maharashtra (2,228), Uttar Pradesh (785), Tamil Nadu (731), Telangana (624) and Kerala (554).Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said the Centre had coordinated its response with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Civil Aviation and other agencies to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe preparedness measures include issuing standard operating procedures covering surveillance, quarantine, laboratory testing, infection prevention and clinical management; identifying and operationalising isolation facilities across states and Union Territories; expanding diagnostic capacity through ICMR-NIV Pune and additional Biosafety Level-3 laboratories; deploying additional doctors and paramedical staff at major international airports; and conducting mock drills in designated hospitals nationwide.The government has also strengthened public awareness through airport displays, in-flight announcements, social media campaigns and a 24×7 national helpline while activating the NCDC Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response.The health ministry said no Ebola case has been reported in India so far.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMigrant Labourer Killed In Kulgam Terror Attack, Security Forces Launch Massive Search OperationCauvery Row Escalates As TN Farmers Protest, DK Shivakumar Delays Meeting With VijayDelhi Riots Case: Tahir Hussain, Four Others Get Life Term For IB Officer Ankit Sharma’s MurderIndia Signs Rs 4,000 Crore Credit Agreement With Bhutan, Reviews Rs 10,000 Crore Development PackageIndian Navy Receives Indigenous Diving Support Vessel Nipun, Strengthens Deep-Sea Rescue CapabilityCabinet Approves ₹84,084 Crore Samudra Manthan Scheme To Boost Offshore Oil And Gas ExplorationMeta India Head Named In FIR As Posts Criticising PM Modi Surface; Social Accounts Under Scanner’My Father Was Almost Lynched’: Injured Delhi Cop’s Daughter Emotional Appeal After Violence | Watch’Cracks Appeared Hours Before Collapse’ Rescue Teams Search For Survivors In Maharashtra’s BhiwandiCJP’s Saurav Das Says Abusive Remarks Deserve Defamation Cases, Not Criminal Prosecution | Watch123PhotostoriesHe thought it was food poisoning until doctors found a kidney stone: The warning signs that are easy to missWhy Indian royals chose emeralds over diamonds: The fascinating history behind their favourite gemstoneWhat happens when you say ‘thank you’ every day? 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NEW DELHI: India has screened 10,974 international travellers arriving from Ebola-affected countries since May 23 after the World Health Organization declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), with no case detected in the country so far, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday.The government said surveillance and preparedness were intensified across the country following the WHO declaration, with enhanced screening at airports and other points of entry, mandatory travel declarations, designated isolation facilities, expanded laboratory capacity and nationwide mock drills to prepare for any suspected case.According to the ministry of health and family welfare, all international passengers are screened for recent travel to Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan—countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. The government has not imposed a blanket travel ban, but passengers with travel history to these countries during the previous 21 days are identified through Self Declaration Forms, including the Air Suvidha 2.0 portal.Mumbai accounted for the highest number of screened passengers at 7,568, followed by Delhi (1,833), Hyderabad (532), Chennai (210), Bengaluru (205) and Ahmedabad (200). At the state level, Gujarat recorded the highest number of screened passengers (2,905), followed by Maharashtra (2,228), Uttar Pradesh (785), Tamil Nadu (731), Telangana (624) and Kerala (554).Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said the Centre had coordinated its response with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Civil Aviation and other agencies to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.
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The preparedness measures include issuing standard operating procedures covering surveillance, quarantine, laboratory testing, infection prevention and clinical management; identifying and operationalising isolation facilities across states and Union Territories; expanding diagnostic capacity through ICMR-NIV Pune and additional Biosafety Level-3 laboratories; deploying additional doctors and paramedical staff at major international airports; and conducting mock drills in designated hospitals nationwide.The government has also strengthened public awareness through airport displays, in-flight announcements, social media campaigns and a 24×7 national helpline while activating the NCDC Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response.The health ministry said no Ebola case has been reported in India so far.
