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NEW DELHI: Amid the recent surge in Ebola virus cases across several parts of Africa, Chhattisgarh has reported three suspected cases involving foreign nationals who were isolated in Durg and placed under a 21-day quarantine as a precautionary measure.State health minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal on Saturday announced that the state is fully prepared to handle any potential Ebola virus infection, stressing that hospitals and quarantine facilities have been put on alert and necessary arrangements are in place to ensure public safety.Speaking to reporters, Jaiswal said the three individuals under observation were nationals from African countries and were being monitored in line with health protocols. He added that no Ebola infection had been confirmed so far and that none of the individuals were showing symptoms of the disease.”We have been fully prepared across the state at every level for a month now. The three individuals placed in isolation in Durg are nationals from African countries and have been quarantined for 21 days as a precautionary measure. So far, tests have not confirmed the presence of the virus, nor are they exhibiting any symptoms,” he said. The development comes days after a Ugandan woman was isolated in Bengaluru and tested for Ebola following a global alert over outbreaks in parts of Africa. The 28-year-old traveller, who arrived at Kempegowda International Airport from Uganda on May 23, was shifted to the Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar after health officials observed possible symptoms and collected samples for testing. Jaiswal also highlighted the launch of the Chhattisgarh CM helpline for public grievance redressal.”We are launching this initiative with confidence, and it will certainly bring significant relief to the people of the state and boost their trust in the government. If a CM provides a toll-free number to the public, it implies that some issues might not otherwise reach him. This initiative ensures those matters reach the CM,” he said.The heightened vigilance follows the World Health Organisation’s decision on May 17 to classify the Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).India has not reported any confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, which is currently responsible for the outbreak in parts of Africa. However, states have stepped up surveillance and screening measures as a precaution.The Centre has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. On Friday, a suspected Ebola case was also reported in Rajasthan after a Ugandan national arriving in Jaipur from Sharjah displayed symptoms associated with the disease and was admitted to hospital in isolation pending test results.
