The Union Health Ministry has issued a precautionary advisory for travellers arriving in India from “high-risk countries” amid growing global concern over the spread of Ebola. The advisory applies to passengers travelling from or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan through Indian ports, airports, and other points of entry.
Travellers experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, or unexplained bleeding have been directed to immediately report to Airport Health Officers or designated health desks before proceeding for immigration clearance. Authorities have also advised individuals who have had direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of confirmed or suspected Ebola patients to inform health officials upon arrival.
The Ministry clarified that the measures are purely precautionary and that no Ebola cases have been reported in India so far. Passengers have been urged to cooperate with health screening and public health protocols in the interest of passenger safety and compliance with international health regulations.
The advisory follows the recent declaration by the World Health Organization classifying the Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO officials have expressed concern over the pace at which the infection has spread since the outbreak was first detected.
In response, the Health Ministry convened two high-level review meetings — one internally and another with States and Union Territories — to assess preparedness and strengthen surveillance mechanisms. During a meeting chaired by Health Secretary Puniya Salila Srivastava, states and UTs were instructed to remain fully prepared with standard operating procedures covering pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine protocols, case management, referral systems, and laboratory testing.
Srivastava stressed the importance of coordinated surveillance, timely reporting, and readiness of designated healthcare facilities to handle any potential cases.
Ebola is a highly fatal zoonotic disease caused by viruses of the Orthoebolavirus family. The infection spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids including blood, saliva, sweat, vomit, faeces, tears, and breast milk, as well as through contaminated surfaces and contact with infected deceased persons. While many symptoms resemble influenza — including fever, headache, and muscle pain — unexplained internal and external bleeding remains one of the disease’s most distinctive and severe characteristics.
