Andhra Pradesh enhances Ebola screening at airports amid global health concerns

The Andhra Pradesh government has placed its airports on high alert and initiated comprehensive Ebola screening measures in response to escalating global health concerns, particularly the ongoing outbreaks in several African nations. This proactive stance involves deploying medical teams at airports like Vijayawada to conduct thermal screening and symptom checks on passengers, with a specific focus on those arriving from international destinations such as Singapore. The move is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring public safety and facilitating the early detection of any potential Ebola cases, aligning with international health advisories. While the screening is a heightened response to international alerts, health authorities have been diligent in reassuring the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm within the state or the country. These intensified checks are part of a routine global preventive monitoring strategy that countries adopt when significant outbreaks occur elsewhere. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This particular strain has presented challenges due to its rarity and difficulties in early detection and treatment. India, through organizations like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and in collaboration with the WHO, is actively involved in advancing Ebola-related research, including the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and monoclonal antibodies. Former WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has highlighted India's significant potential in this area. In addition to airport screenings, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken further steps to bolster preparedness. This includes establishing designated isolation centers with a total of 44 beds across three government hospitals in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati. The state has also activated district rapid response teams (RRTs) and a state-level RRT comprising specialists from various medical fields. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines from the central government for containing the spread of the Ebola virus have been disseminated to all districts. Medical colleges have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of viral transport media and personal protective equipment (PPE), with supplies already distributed to isolation centers. Mock drills have been conducted to test the state's preparedness, and passenger tracking is being monitored through an integrated health information platform. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines, making self-declaration forms mandatory for passengers arriving from or transiting through Uganda and Congo. As of mid-June 2026, a cumulative total of 3,940 international passengers arriving through airports in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati had been screened between May 26 and June 19, with no passengers exhibiting symptoms, travel history from Ebola-affected countries, or contact history warranting observation. Despite these extensive measures, no suspected Ebola case has been detected in Andhra Pradesh so far. The Ebola virus, or Ebola virus disease (EVD), is a severe and often fatal illness that causes inflammation and tissue damage throughout the body. It is a hemorrhagic fever virus, leading to problems with blood clotting and internal bleeding. Fatality rates have historically varied widely, from 25% to 90%, with an average of around 50%. Symptoms typically appear between two to 21 days after exposure, often starting with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain, progressing to more severe symptoms as the illness advances. Ebola is spread through direct contact with body fluids (blood, vomit, urine, stool, saliva, sweat, tears, mucus, breast milk, semen) of an infected person or animal, and through contaminated objects. It is not an airborne disease. Globally, as of mid-September 2026, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda has seen significant numbers, with reports of thousands of confirmed cases and thousands of deaths. The Bundibugyo virus strain, responsible for the current outbreak, has been classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO. While there are encouraging signs of reduced transmission in some areas of the DRC, case counts continue to rise rapidly in others, highlighting the persistent challenge of containing the virus. The Indian government has also issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected countries like the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated self-declaration forms for passengers arriving from or transiting through Uganda and Congo, collecting details on personal information, travel history, and any medical symptoms. This layered approach, combining enhanced surveillance at points of entry with clear advisories and preparedness plans, aims to mitigate the risk of Ebola introduction and spread in India, even as no cases have been detected domestically.

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