Ebola Threat: Jharkhand on High Alert, Intensifies Travel Surveillance

Jamshedpur: Following the global resurgence of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, the Union Health Ministry has placed all states and districts on high alert and intensified nationwide surveillance measures.

Health officials revealed that Jharkhand, including Jamshedpur, currently lacks authorized Ebola testing laboratories. Therefore, if doctors identify a suspected case, medical teams will securely transport patient samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for examination and confirmation.

Central health authorities conducted a crucial online review meeting with District Surveillance Departments across Jharkhand to assess preparedness and preventive strategies. Senior officials, including East Singhbhum District Epidemiologist Dr. Asad and surveillance official Sushil Tiwari, joined the briefing.

During the interaction, Union Health Department officials clarified that India has not reported any Ebola cases so far. However, given the rising volume of international travel and the global outbreak, authorities emphasized that the state must maintain extreme caution and preparedness.

The central team instructed all districts to strictly screen and monitor travellers arriving from Central and West Africa, especially nations battling recent outbreaks.

Government issues special advisory for Congo and Uganda

After the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed fresh Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the Government of India issued a special travel advisory for Indian citizens traveling to or residing in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Health officials urged travellers to remain vigilant and immediately report any symptoms related to the disease.

Department introduces three-tier monitoring and safety protocol

As part of the preventive strategy, the central ministry directed the District Surveillance Department to monitor travellers and suspected cases using a three-category system:

• Category 1: Individuals returning from affected countries who had no direct contact with infected persons must self-monitor and undergo home isolation for 21 days.
• Category 2: Authorities will place travellers who had direct contact with Ebola patients under mandatory quarantine for a 21-day period.
• Category 3: Medical teams will immediately admit suspected patients showing active symptoms into specialized isolation wards for treatment and observation.

Key symptoms of Ebola

Medical authorities advise citizens to watch for sudden high fever, severe weakness, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, internal or external bleeding.

Officials appealed to the public to remain calm, stay cautious, and immediately contact health authorities if they observe any suspected symptoms after international travel.