The Ebola virus is wreaking havoc in African countries, mainly Uganda, South Sudan, and Congo, where increasing numbers of patients infected with this deadly virus have been reported. Following these developments, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Health Department has gone into super action mode.
Strict screening procedures were carried out after passengers landed at Ahmedabad Airport. The AMC has advised precautionary measures for all passengers arriving from affected countries.
According to reports, a total of 11 people arrived in Ahmedabad from these African countries and were placed under home isolation at their residences.
According to the AMC Health Department, all these 11 passengers live in the western areas of Ahmedabad. None of them have shown any symptoms of Ebola or have been in contact with Ebola virus-infected patients in African countries. However, as a precautionary measure, the authorities have made home isolation mandatory for anyone arriving from affected African countries.
Along with this, a separate 30-bed special ward has been prepared at SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad to quarantine patients in case of an emergency situation.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) globally. To mitigate the risk, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have imposed strict rules for all airlines and airports in India.
Under these rules, a self-declaration form must be filled out by all passengers arriving from international trips. To ensure compliance, announcements are made at airports and onboard flights so that the forms are completed before the flight lands.
At Ahmedabad International Airport, authorities have geared up and are in action mode, maintaining surveillance and closely monitoring passengers, especially those arriving from African countries. Intensive screening procedures are being conducted to mitigate any possibility of a virus outbreak in India. However, authorities have clarified that the screening process is only for passengers arriving from affected countries, and other passengers are not required to undergo the screening.
According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a health emergency in Congo following the increasing number of Ebola cases. So far, 80 people have died and 246 suspected cases have been reported. In Congo, the disease reportedly began spreading rapidly after the death of a nurse who had been infected and died in April 24.
The Ebola virus disease was first identified in 1976 in an area near the Ebola River in Africa, from which the virus gets its name. According to health experts, the virus spreads through direct contact with blood, vomit, saliva, or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
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