Gujarat steps up Ebola surveillance after cases reported in African nations

The Gujarat government has intensified precautionary measures following reports of Ebola virus cases in several African countries, including Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, even as authorities clarified that no Ebola case has been detected in Gujarat or elsewhere in India.

In a post on X, Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya said the state health machinery was fully prepared to tackle any possible emergency in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued by the Centre.

“Currently, there is not a single case of Ebola virus in Gujarat or India. There is absolutely no need for people to panic. The health department and administrative machinery are fully prepared to handle any situation,” the minister said.

Officials said the Health Department has stepped up monitoring and screening of passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries.

According to authorities, intensive screening of travellers arriving from Uganda, Congo and South Sudan is being carried out daily at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport between 6 pm and 10 am.

Officials clarified that the screening measures are specifically aimed at passengers arriving from the affected African nations and that travellers from other countries need not be concerned.

As part of the preparedness measures, the government has activated a 32-bed designated apex facility at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and a 10-bed facility at Surat Civil Hospital.

In addition, a 60-bed isolation ward has been set up at SVP Hospital for suspected Ebola patients.

The minister said that if any traveller is found symptomatic or suspected of infection, immediate isolation and treatment procedures would be initiated as per Government of India protocols.

Pansheriya also appealed to the public not to spread rumours or misinformation, reiterating that no Ebola infection has so far been reported anywhere in the country.