India on Tuesday ruled out any Ebola infection after a woman in Bengaluru with recent travel history from Uganda tested negative for the virus. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the woman had
been isolated for observation after reporting mild body ache amid recent Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Her samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing, which later confirmed that no Ebola virus was detected. Officials said there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in India.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday said it is closely monitoring the Ebola situation following recent outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Authorities said surveillance and screening measures remain active at all designated points of entry and across the public health system. Citizens have been advised not to panic or spread misinformation and to rely only on official updates.
India tightens Ebola surveillance
Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued fresh standard operating procedures for passengers travelling to India from Ebola-affected regions in Africa amid growing global concern over the disease.
Travellers arriving from affected countries have been advised to immediately alert cabin crew or airport health authorities if they develop symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, rash or unexplained bleeding.
Officials said passengers who develop symptoms within 21 days of arriving in India must seek medical attention at designated hospitals and inform airport health authorities without delay.
Mandatory screening for Uganda and DRC travellers
The DGCA has made screening and health declarations compulsory for passengers arriving from or transiting through Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Under an office order issued on May 22, all passengers and crew members from affected regions must fill self-declaration forms, regardless of nationality.
These forms must be submitted at designated immigration or health counters after arrival in India.
Authorities said the measures are aimed at early detection of possible Ebola cases and preventing transmission inside the country.
Countries bordering Uganda and the DRC, including South Sudan, have also been identified as high-risk regions.
Airlines asked to make health announcements
Under the new SOPs, airlines operating flights from affected regions have been instructed to make mandatory health announcements onboard.
Passengers must be informed about Ebola symptoms and encouraged to report any illness immediately to crew members during the journey.
The aviation regulator has also introduced specific onboard protocols for handling suspected Ebola cases during flights as India strengthens surveillance and monitoring measures across airports and the public health system.
