India tightens screening after 2 suspected Ebola cases surface

NEW DELHI: Health authorities have stepped up airport screening, traveller monitoring and quarantine measures following suspected Ebola cases in Bengaluru and Gujarat, though no infection has been confirmed in India so far.A 28-year-old Ugandan woman who had been isolated in Bengaluru over suspected Ebola infection has tested negative, bringing relief amid heightened concern over fresh outbreaks reported in parts of Africa.Officials said Airport Health Organisation teams are directly contacting travellers arriving from affected countries.They are isolating even mildly symptomatic individuals as a precautionary measure."Even if someone reports a slight headache, we do not want to take any chances and are keeping such persons in isolation," an official said, adding that samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing.Officials said the test report of a 37-year-old man, who reportedly travelled from the African continent and Bangladesh before arriving in Mumbai and later Vadodara with two associates, would come soon.According to health officials, the man developed fever, cold and cough symptoms and was initially admitted to a private hospital in Vadodara before being shifted to a civil hospital isolation ward after his travel history emerged during screening.Authorities said the patient, his two associates and a doctor who came in professional contact with him have all been placed under observation as a precaution.Officials stressed there is no confirmed Ebola case in Gujarat or elsewhere in India and appealed to people not to spread rumours or misinformation on social media. The Union health ministry said surveillance has been intensified at airports and hospitals, with quarantine measures being initiated wherever travellers from affected African regions report even mild symptoms. Officials said India remains on high alert and all screening, isolation and testing protocols are being carried out in line with WHO guidelines.