The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued new guidelines regarding Ebola infection in Congo and Uganda. In which many precautionary measures have been included including separate seating arrangement in the aircraft for suspicious passengers. The respective airlines will have to ensure mandatory passenger declaration for passengers coming from these countries.
In view of the Ebola infection in Congo and Uganda, DGCA has issued strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for airlines. Under these guidelines, there will be mandatory screening of passengers coming from affected areas and airlines will make separate seating arrangements for suspected cases on board the aircraft. Ebola infection is mainly spread in Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
It is mandatory for passengers traveling from these countries to fill the ‘Health Declaration Form’ before boarding the plane. If a passenger shows Ebola-like symptoms during a flight, crew members will have to isolate him/her by seating him/her separately from other passengers. Passengers who have come in contact with an infected person, or are showing symptoms, must report to the Airport Health Officer (APHO) before proceeding for immigration clearance.
It is mandatory to follow the guidelines
If Ebola-like symptoms appear within 21 days of travel, local health authorities should be informed immediately. To ensure the safety of passengers and adhere to the International Health Regulations (IHR), it has been made mandatory for all airlines and airports (such as Delhi and Hyderabad) to follow these guidelines.
Health Ministry also alert
In view of the outbreak of Ebola infection, Union Health Minister JP Nadda also held an important meeting with senior officials of the Health Ministry and reviewed the preparations. The government has also asked agencies like ICMR and NCDC to remain in full alert mode. Instructions have been given to keep the system of tracking, testing and monitoring ready at all times so that immediate action can be taken if needed. People have also been asked to remain alert.
Passengers coming from abroad will be screened
In the meeting, emphasis was laid on further strengthening the surveillance system at airports, ports and international borders. Clear instructions have been given to the officials that there should not be any negligence in the screening of passengers coming from abroad. Special attention has been given to people coming from countries where cases of Ebola infection are increasing.
Ebola symptoms and prevention
If any passenger shows symptoms like fever, vomiting, weakness, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, or abnormal bleeding from the body, it is advised to get tested immediately. Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the bodily fluids (blood, sweat, saliva, etc.) of an infected person.
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