Passengers coming from Ebola-affected region to be screened
7 Aug 2014 6:39 AM IST
Government has announced screening of passengers coming or transiting through the west African countries. The step has been taken following the outbreak of Ebola virus in the region. Government has also asked Indian nationals to defer non-essential travel to that region.
There are close to 45,000 Indians in affected countries.
If the situation worsens in these countries, there could be possibility of Indians staying there travelling back to India, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Parliament of Wednesday.
‘All precautions are being taken by us. While the risk of Ebola virus cases in India is low, preparedness measures are in place to deal with any case of the virus imported to India,’ the minister said in a statement.
World Health Organisation has reported 1,603 cases, including 887 deaths, till 4 August in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. The number of cases is 485, 468, 646 and four from these countries respectively and the corresponding death toll is 358, 255, 273 and 1 respectively.
Mandatory self reporting by the passengers coming from or transiting through the affected countries would be required at immigration check, Vardhan said, adding in-flight announcements regarding this would also be made by the airlines.
‘There would be designated facilities at the relevant airports/ports to manage travellers manifesting symptoms of the disease. The surveillance system would be geared up to track these travellers for four weeks and to detect them early, in case they develop symptoms,’ he said.
There are close to 45,000 Indians in affected countries.
If the situation worsens in these countries, there could be possibility of Indians staying there travelling back to India, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Parliament of Wednesday.
‘All precautions are being taken by us. While the risk of Ebola virus cases in India is low, preparedness measures are in place to deal with any case of the virus imported to India,’ the minister said in a statement.
World Health Organisation has reported 1,603 cases, including 887 deaths, till 4 August in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. The number of cases is 485, 468, 646 and four from these countries respectively and the corresponding death toll is 358, 255, 273 and 1 respectively.
Mandatory self reporting by the passengers coming from or transiting through the affected countries would be required at immigration check, Vardhan said, adding in-flight announcements regarding this would also be made by the airlines.
‘There would be designated facilities at the relevant airports/ports to manage travellers manifesting symptoms of the disease. The surveillance system would be geared up to track these travellers for four weeks and to detect them early, in case they develop symptoms,’ he said.
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