Andhra Pradesh Steps Up Ebola Vigil With Airport Screening, Isolation Wards

The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up preventive measures amid growing concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus in parts of Africa, where several countries have reported a rise in infections and fatalities.

State Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said the government has placed the health machinery on high alert to prevent the deadly virus from entering the state. He stated that the measures are being implemented in line with advisories issued by the Central government and international health agencies.

According to the minister, authorities are closely monitoring passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo , Uganda , and South Sudan .

Special screening facilities have been established at the international airports in Visakhapatnam , Tirupati , and Vijayawada to medically examine incoming travellers. The screening process is being carried out in coordination with airport authorities and district health officials.

The government has also intensified surveillance at the Visakhapatnam Port and along road entry points into the state to track passengers arriving from high-risk regions.

The Health Department said it is fully prepared to handle any potential outbreak, drawing on the experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the preparedness plan, government teaching hospitals in cities with international airports have set up dedicated 15-bed isolation wards for suspected Ebola cases. Adequate stocks of PPE kits and diagnostic testing equipment have also been arranged for frontline medical staff.

In addition, the department has begun virtual training sessions for healthcare workers, including ANMs and ASHA workers , to improve awareness and response capabilities at the grassroots level.

Health officials warned that individuals infected with Ebola may not show symptoms for several weeks, increasing the risk of unnoticed transmission.

The department advised the public to remain alert for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, sore throat, extreme weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite , and redness in the eyes .

People experiencing such symptoms, especially after recent international travel, have been urged to seek immediate medical attention.

Minister Satyakumar Yadav appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected African nations until the situation stabilises.

He also requested anyone who has travelled from the affected countries within the past three weeks to immediately inform local health authorities if they develop any symptoms linked to the virus.

The minister said suspected patients would be shifted to quarantine facilities without delay and provided free treatment, while close contacts would also be identified and medically screened as a precautionary measure.