Isolated Bengaluru patient tests negative for Ebola; no confirmed case in India
New Delhi, May 27
The test results of a person isolated in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure have returned negative for Ebola virus disease, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, adding that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in India.
The individual had been kept under observation out of abundant caution following suspicion of exposure.
Amidst the recent surge in Ebola virus cases in several parts of Africa, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the evolving situation, sources said.
Exercising abundant caution, one individual with recent travel history from Uganda, who reported mild symptoms of body ache, has been placed under isolation at the State-run Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Bengaluru for observation and further evaluation.
The individual is otherwise in a healthy condition till now, apart from a mild bodyache. A sample has been collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology for laboratory testing. Test results are awaited.
The Health Ministry, in coordination with the concerned State authorities, is maintaining close surveillance, and all necessary public health protocols are being followed in accordance with WHO guidelines.
At present, no case of Ebola virus disease has been confirmed in India.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo strain Ebola virus disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Further, the WHO IHR Emergency Committee on May 22 issued temporary recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at Points of Entry to "detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection" while also "discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection".
As per the press release, countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, are assessed to be at high risk of disease transmission.
Ebola disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. (ANII)
— ANI
Reader Comments
Thank God no Ebola in India. But the govt should educate people about symptoms and precautions. Many in rural areas don't even know what Ebola is. Awareness campaigns needed immediately. 🙏
I travel frequently for work and this is concerning. The WHO says Uganda and DRC are high-risk, and we share borders with countries that might have cases. Hope our airport screening is actually strict and not just for show. 💯
The patient is fine, but what about the panic this creates? Media should report responsibly. Every time someone has a fever and travel history, headlines scream "Ebola scare." Crying wolf will make people ignore real warnings. 😐
As someone living in India, I appreciate the caution but hope the govt also invests in public health infrastructure. We learned from COVID that hospitals in smaller cities are not equipped. Ebola might not come, but other diseases will. 😷
Relief that it's negative, but this is a wake-up call. The Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or treatment. India must stockpile PPE, train healthcare workers, and have isolation protocols ready. Prevention is better than cure, especially for Ebola. 💪
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