Ebola surveillance system launched at Bhubaneswar airport

Bhubaneswar: Following the WHO’s announcement of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, airport authorities here have initiated a surveillance system for international passengers, including thermal screening, an official said on Saturday.

Biju Patnaik International Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan said thermal screening was conducted as per the Health Department’s instructions. He added that screening officials are also thoroughly examining each passenger’s 21-day travel history to identify potential risk factors.

Pradhan said, “Isolation and testing arrangements have also been made on the airport premises as per the Ebola screening guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry.”

An international flight from Bangkok landed at the airport here, and passengers arriving from that country are being closely monitored.

All passengers are advised to report any symptoms such as high fever, body aches, or unusual fatigue.

Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Health Ministry has asked all states and union territories to enhance surveillance, hospital preparedness, and screening of international travelers.

The Ministry has directed states to enhance surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) to monitor unusual clusters of cases showing symptoms of Ebola disease, especially among people who have recently traveled to affected areas.

The advisory lists symptoms as fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, and red eyes.