NEW DELHI: India has strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures at points of entry and across the public health system as a matter of “abundant caution” following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Central Africa.Senior officials of the Union health ministry, including teams from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), ICMR and other concerned divisions, met on Monday to review the evolving situation and initiate precautionary public health measures, officials said.The ministry clarified that there is no reported Ebola case in India and the current risk to the country remains minimal.The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain and has been reported from parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.Officials said the Centre has initiated a review of standard operating procedures for screening, surveillance, quarantine and case management, while laboratory preparedness is also being expanded. The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has been designated as the nodal testing centre and additional laboratories are being onboarded in phases. Coordination with multiple ministries and agencies has also been intensified to monitor international travel from affected regions.Isolation and quarantine facilities at major airports and ports have been identified and kept ready in case of any suspected case, officials said.The ministry urged the public and media not to panic or circulate unverified information, stressing that India’s public health system remains vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any emerging situation.Officials also pointed out that India has not reported any Ebola case even during previous outbreaks and global alerts linked to the disease, including in 2014 and 2019, and said the government continues to maintain close coordination with international health authorities.
