Surveillance tightened at Andhra Pradesh airports amid rising Ebola risk

Amid concerns over the spread of Ebola in neighbouring countries, the Department of Health, Medical and Welfare of Andhra Pradesh has increased surveillance at three airports in the state as a precautionary measure. According to a report by The Hindu, special monitoring is being conducted at Bhogapuram (Visakhapatnam), Vijayawada, and Tirupati airports.

As per the official website of the US government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the spread of Ebola is "substantially faster" than previous outbreaks and is the second largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Taking this serious situation into account, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare held a video conference with state governments on Thursday, 5 November. The meeting discussed the precautionary measures to be taken, and central government officials reviewed the implementation of Ebola guidelines.

G. Veerapandian, Andhra Pradesh Health Secretary, who participated in the conference, provided detailed information regarding the preparations made in the state. According to a list released by the department on Thursday, isolation beds, medical personnel, and emergency equipment have been kept ready in five government hospitals in the state. These hospitals include KGH in Visakhapatnam, as well as government hospitals in Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, and Kurnool.

Mr. Veerapandian informed the central government that medical teams have been deployed at three airports to check whether passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries exhibit any symptoms. In addition, similar arrangements have been made at the ports of Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Nellore.

To face any emergency, a total of 46 beds, 3,288 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, 104 sample collection kits, and 5 ambulances have been kept ready. A mock drill will be conducted on 12 November to assess preparations at the state and district levels. Concerned departments have been alerted to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines.

Central officials have advised that passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries should be screened for symptoms and those who have had direct contact with infected persons should be kept under observation. Officials further stated that even passengers showing no symptoms should have their travel history checked. Instructions have been issued to immediately move any individual exhibiting symptoms to a hospital with isolation beds.

Looking at the outbreak statistics, as of 31 October, 10,467 cases and 5,103 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kenya, 9 cases and 2 deaths, in Uganda 20 cases and 2 deaths, 1 case in Nigeria, and 1 case in France have been recorded. In total, 10,498 confirmed cases and 5,107 deaths have been recorded across five countries.